STONE HARBOR – Ocean Galleries hosts a whimsical and historic exhibition over the Columbus Day weekend highlighting 70 years of Dr. Seuss’s creativity and artwork. “Secrets of the Deep,” featuring a compelling selection of artworks from The Art of Dr. Seuss, opens on Friday, October 10 and runs through Sunday, October 19, 2014. There will be special gallery receptions featuring noted Dr. Seuss expert Jeff Schuffman from 7 p.m. until 10 p.m. on Saturday, October 11 and from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m. on Sunday, October 12.
Visitors will view works from Dr. Seuss’s best-known children’s books, and explore “The Secret Art of Dr. Seuss,” a mind-expanding collection based on decades of artwork that Dr. Seuss created at night for his own personal pleasure. Perhaps the wackiest and most wonderful elements of the collection are Dr. Seuss’s three-dimensional “Unorthodox Taxidermy” sculptures with names like The Carbonic Walrus, The Two-Horned Drouberhannis, and the Goo-Goo-Eyed Tasmanian Wolghast.
For over 60 years, Dr. Seuss’s illustrations have brought a visual realization to his fantastic and imaginary worlds. However, his artistic talent went far beyond the printed page and yet, to this day, his Secret Art Collection is virtually unknown to the general public. Throughout his lifetime, Ted Geisel created paintings and sculpture that he secreted away at the Dr. Seuss Estate.
Ocean Galleries is one of the few galleries in the United States authorized to represent The Art of Dr. Seuss Collection. Kim Miller, owner of Ocean Galleries, explains, “We are proud to provide our community with a rare opportunity to view and learn about the artistic legacy of Theodor Seuss Geisel, one of the most significant American icons of our time.”
Artworks from this historic collection have traveled to museums and galleries across three continents since its inception in 1997, with works from The Art of Dr. Seuss now hanging in collections alongside the likes of Picasso, Chagall, Warhol, and other 20th century masters. Each of these Estate-Authorized limited editions have been adapted and reproduced from Theodor Seuss Geisel’s original drawings, paintings, or sculptures. Additionally, each work bears a posthumously printed or engraved Dr. Seuss signature, identifying the work as an authorized limited edition commissioned by the Dr. Seuss Estate.
Ted Geisel (aka Dr. Seuss) asked his wife, Audrey, to wait until he was gone before bringing these works to the public. Secretly, he wanted to be recognized as a serious artist, but publicly, he was quick to describe his private works as “Midnight Paintings.” In her preface to the popular coffee table book on this collection, The Cat Behind the Hat, Audrey Geisel writes, “I’m gratified to carry out Ted’s wishes and have these works revealed to the world.”
Amazingly, despite the unprecedented demand during his lifetime, no limited edition artworks were ever conceived, authorized, or created until this historic project began in 1997, six years after Geisel’s death. That year, Audrey Geisel commissioned this exclusive project and put into motion a series of artworks and exhibitions that would carry out her promise to Ted, while firmly establishing him as one of the most iconic talents of the twentieth century.
Ocean Galleries in Stone Harbor is open 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. seven days a week, with extended hours for special events. For more information or directions, call 609-368-7777 or visit www.oceangalleries.com
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