Philadelphia
A 1961 drawing for “The Three Robbers” (page 21, first pub. 1961 as “Die
drei Räuber” by Georg Lentz Verlag, Munich | Colored pencil, gouache and
watercolor on paper | 11 3/4 x 8 5/8 inches; 30 x 22 cm).
BY STEPHANIE BUHMANN (stephaniebuhmann.com) | This exhibition, which marks the artist’s first U.S. retrospective, begins with his childhood drawings and concludes with his mature political and satirical campaigns as well as animations, among others. Born in Alsace, France, in 1931, Ungerer is best known as the award-winning author and illustrator of such beloved 1960s children’s classics as “The Three Robbers” (1961) and “Moon Man” (1966). However, as this survey skillfully reveals, his interests and talents reached beyond one genre. In fact, at the same time he was successfully working on children’s books for Harper & Brothers, Ungerer also gained recognition for his witty advertising campaigns for the New York Times and the Village Voice — biting satirical illustrations about the business world, and brutal pictorial responses to racism, fascism, and the Vietnam War.
AG, Zürich
“Eat” (1967 | Self‐published poster | 21 x 26 1/2 inches; 43.5 x 67.2 cm).
As if this would not cover plenty of territory, he also made graphic erotic drawings throughout his career. That Ungerer is not as well known in America as he is in Europe is largely due to his self-imposed exile in 1971 when he abruptly abandoned New York and relocated to Nova Scotia. Nevertheless, he has found much international recognition since. He was awarded the Legion of Honour in Paris and, in 2007, the Tomi Ungerer Museum opened in Strasbourg. The documentary “Far Out Isn’t Far Enough: The Tomi Ungerer Story” was released in 2012.
“Choice Not Chance” (1967 | political poster | 21 x 26 5/8 inches; 53.3 x
67.6 cm).
TOMI UNGERER: ALL IN ONE
Through March 22
At The Drawing Center
35 Wooster St. (btw. Grand & Broome Sts.)
Wed. & Fri.–Sun. | 12–6 p.m.
Thurs., 12–8 p.m. (free admission, 6–8 p.m.)
$5 admission ($3 for students/seniors)
Free admission for children under 12
Call 212-219-2166
Visit drawingcenter.org
