Art Review: WILD THINGS ARE HAPPENING: THE ART OF MAURICE SENDAK (International Tour at Skirball Center)

MAURICE SENDAK — WILD AT HEART

Some of us had the good fortune of growing up with the wondrous and zany work of Maurice Sendak. We didn’t know it at the time, but Sendak was in the midst of something quite extraordinary—a decades-long manifestation of a galaxy of stories and art where children befriend monsters, find themselves swimming in a giant bowl of cake batter, and dream up an entire musical starring all their friends. Sendak’s universe—which includes Where The Wild Things Are, In the Night Kitchen, Really Rosie, and so many more creations—is on display in an awe-inspiring exhibit titled Wild Things Are Happening: The Art Of Maurice Sendak, at the Skirball Cultural Center, now through September 1, 2024 before it moves to the Denver Art Museum. It’s only today, in retrospect, that we can view the entirety of his life with the full appreciation it deserves. Whether you know Sendak or not, this exhibit is well worth the trip to the picturesque Jewish cultural center tucked into the foot of the Santa Monica Mountains.

Maurice Sendak, Self-Portrait, 1950, ink on paper, 10 ¾ x 16 ½”

Sendak was an incredibly prolific artist. Even those who think they know his work will be stunned by its sheer scope and volume. He’s probably best known for being an illustrator and author of children’s books. Iconic images from Where the Wild Things Are—Max, the boy in a wolf costume, traipsing through the wilderness with giant chimerical monsters—have been indelibly etched into the minds of millions. One of the highlights of the exhibit is the wolf costume worn by Max Records in the 2009 film, displayed alongside one of the large monsters created by Jim Henson’s Creature Shop.

Maurice Sendak, Little Bear, 1957, ink on paper, 11 x 8 ½”

You’ll find artifacts from My Brother’s Book, Presto & Zesto in Limboland, Mommy?, Brundibar, Outside over There, Higglety Pigglety Pop!, Ten Little Rabbits, Little Bear and more books from Sendak’s catalog. These include sketches that reveal the creative process behind what ultimately became beloved characters and images.

Maurice Sendak, Mockup for the Cover of Nutshell Library
1962, ink and tempera, 10 3/8 x 81/8”

His art was not relegated to two dimensions: A clock from a production of Nutcracker (1983) during his days as an opera designer; a stage model for the Chicago Opera Theater’s Brundlibar (2003); stuffed animals and a machine-hooked rug, both inspired by Wild Things; a prototype of a Mother Hubbard toy developed by him and his brother, Jack; and a Mickey Mouse bagatelle game—Sendak approached all media with childlike and joyful curiosity.

Maurice Sendak, Where the Wild Things Are, 1963, watercolor on paper, 9 ¾ x 11”

Like many artists, he explored self-portraiture, which offers a glimpse into how Sendak’s identity and his work were largely inseparable. A portion of the exhibit is dedicated to other artists from whom Sendak drew inspiration, Mozart being a prominent figure. We also find fragments from his history that shaped the man he became, such as a miniature Borden milk truck his Aunt gave him as a child. There’s even a reading/drawing space staged like a quaint living room, evoking the intimacy and comfort that enjoying and creating such art brings. Throughout the exhibit, placards and text on walls serve as tour guides through the various corners of Sendak’s mind and world.

Maurice Sendak, Where the Wild Things Are, 1963, tempera on paper, 9 ¾x 22”

A notable part of Sendak’s world was his Jewish heritage, which is honored in the exhibit. He grew up in New York, and his parents were Polish Jewish immigrants. He himself was an atheist, but the social and cultural ties remained steadfast throughout his life. (While you’re here, it’s worth popping over to the Frank Stella Had Gadya exhibit next door, which highlights a fascinating visual dialogue between two abstract artists about a famous children’s Passover song.)

Maurice Sendak, Higglety, Pigglety, Pop!, 1967, ink on paper, 11 ½ x 9”

It’s an astounding thing to experience a figure—an artist as accomplished and visionary as Sendak, a man who touched countless hearts—scattered like a thousand tiny stars and brought together within the quiet halls of a museum. It may be that this exhibit is the only place we can truly experience his true brightness and brilliance in all its wild and wonderful glory. It may be the only place we can commune with him directly and hear—feel—the whole story of who he was. It’s also here that we may find inspiration and hope for infusing our own lives with such vivid color, such childlike joy, and such boundless creativity.