Beyond Books: The Independent Art of Eric Carle

Eric Carle is primarily known for The Very Hungry Caterpillar (1969) and over 70 picture books done in his colorful collage technique. For the first time, fans have a chance to see the remarkable variety of paintings, sculptures, and personal sketches that he has been making privately for more than 60 years. Starting with his career as a poster artist in the 1940s and carrying through to the street photographs he still shoots, this exhibition provides viewers a chance to see what Eric himself calls his “ArtArt,” a surprisingly intimate window into the full range of his imagination and talents. The categories include: 1) Early posters and book jackets; 2) Linoleum cuts created for several adult titles by other authors; 3) Caricature notes: funny and irreverent hand-drawn notes written to friends; 4) Non-representational art or “Art Art”: abstract painted tissue paper collages created between picture book projects; 5)“Name Art”: names of close friends and colleagues captured in his famous painted tissue paper; 6) Metal sculptures/Glass sculptures: forays into three-dimensional realms, including metal sculptures and painted glass assemblages in collusion with his friend and renowned glass artist Tom Patti; 7) Costumes/Drawings: costumes and a set for The Magic Flute stage concert performed by The Springfield Symphony in 2001; 8) Photographic street art: Studies in colors, shapes, and textures, Carle’s recent “found art” photographs have their roots early in his career; 9) A large Tyvek mural (approximately 10 x 20’) for other participating venues.