Art for a Cause | Arts & Culture

The Dixon presents From Houdini to Hugo: The Art of Brian Selznick

Exhibit of original artwork by New York Times bestselling children’s author-illustrator Brian Selznick opens on October 23, 2011

Art exhibit at the Dixon coincides with national book release and major motion picture release.

Dixon partners with Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital to honor and inspire patients and families.

(Memphis, TN) — The Dixon Gallery & Gardens in Memphis is pleased to present From Houdini to Hugo: The Art of Brian Selznick, an exhibition of original artwork by the Caldecott award-winning, New York Times best-selling children’s author and illustrator, Brian Selznick, during the fall of 2011.

Combining intricately rendered drawings, historical reference, and film, Brian Selznick creates powerful imagery through the illustrative form of the children’s picture book. From Houdini to Hugo presents 100 original drawings, paintings, and objects from Selznick’s 17 books, among them: The Houdini Box, Barnyard Prayers, Walt Whitman: Words for America, The Doll People, Amelia and Eleanor Go for a Ride, Our House, When Marian Sang, The Dinosaurs of Waterhouse Hawkins, and Frindle.

Brian Selznick’s world is comprised of magical narratives and characters as diverse as the great Houdini, wordsmith Walt Whitman, celebrated singer Marian Anderson, and Hugo Cabret — an orphan who lives in the walls of a busy Paris train station.

On view from October 23, 2011 through January 8, 2012, this family-friendly exhibition at the Dixon coincides with the release of Brian Selznick’s new book, Wonderstruck, and the November 2011 release of a major motion picture, Hugo, directed by Martin Scorsese and based on Selznick’s 2007 book, The Invention of Hugo Cabret.

Brian Selznick attended the Rhode Island School of Design and studied set design at neighboring Brown University. After graduating, he worked at Eeyore's Books for Children, in Manhattan, where his contacts included book editors, picture book artists, authors, and a knowledgeable staff. He wrote and illustrated his first book while working at the store. He received a 2002 Caldecott Honor and was awarded the 2008 Caldecott Medal for his innovative, cinematic The Invention of Hugo Cabret, a 526-page book told in words and pictures — nearly 300 pages of pictures! —that he both authored and illustrated. 2

During the presentation of the exhibition, the Dixon will host an array of events and programs for families, children, and adults that connect specific audiences with illustration, story-telling, film-making, magic, reading and other themes arising from Selznick’s repertoire of books. More information about these events can be found on the Dixon’s website at dixon.org.

In addition to showcasing Selznick’s artistry to the public, the Dixon will partner with various local and national organizations throughout the fall season in order to build and inspire audiences for the exhibition. The Dixon is pleased to announce a community partnership with Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital that aims to honor patients, families and employees through programming on-site at the Dixon and outreach at Le Bonheur’s new hospital in the Memphis Medical Center.

The exhibition’s opening weekend festivities will consist of a ribbon cutting by a Le Bonheur patient with a family reception for Dixon members to follow. On Saturday, November 12, the Dixon will open its doors to the Mid-South during a special free family day devoted to children’s literature and illustration, literacy, and creativity, where Le Bonheur, among others, will participate with art activities. Le Bonheur patients, families, employees and volunteers will receive free admission to the exhibit during a Le Bonheur friends and family weekend November 18-20.