Wild Things Are Happening: The Art of Maurice Sendak

Skirball Cultural Center, Los Angeles, CA
April 18–September 1, 2024

Original exhibition organized by The Columbus Museum of Art (2022)

Photography by Robert Wedemeyer and Debi van Zyl

The first major retrospective since his death in 2012, this exhibition celebrated the work of artist Maurice Sendak, creator of the acclaimed children’s books, notably Where the Wild Things Are (1963). The exhibition presented more than 450 artworks created by Maurice Sendak. One of the most versatile artists of the twentieth century, Sendak is best known for picture books, though he also designed theater sets and collaborated on films.

This groundbreaking exhibition also adds new depth to audiences’ understanding of Sendak’s life—as a child of Jewish immigrants, a lover of music, someone with close personal relationships—and how it dovetailed with his creative work, which drew inspiration from writers ranging from William Shakespeare to Herman Melville. From portraits that he made of loved ones to archival photographs of family members to toys he designed as a young adult, the exhibition brings Sendak and his work to life in three dimensions. A “living room” was added towards the end of the exhibition, offering visitors a place to sit, read, draw, and reflect.