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| William Steig |
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| William Steig |
During his lifetime, William Steig created more than 1600 hundred drawings and one hundred seventeen covers for The New Yorker, and authored and illustrated more than twenty children’s picture books, often with an existential bent. “I think I feel a little differently than other people do. For some reason I’ve never felt grown up,” observed the artist. “Steig was a keen observer of the world around him,” notes Norman Rockwell Museum Deputy Director Stephanie Haboush Plunkett, who curated the exhibition with the assistance of curators Corry Kanzenberg and Joyce K. Schiller. “He was a gifted draftsman with an exceptional ability to communicate universally understood concepts in a single image.”
William Steig: Love and Laughter shines a light on several key stages in Steig’s artistic career: from his early gag cartoons for The New Yorker; the stream-of-consciousness symbolic artworks influenced by his ongoing fascination with psychology and Pablo Picasso; to his later works as a beloved author and with llustrator of children’s books and novels. The exhibition examines recurrent themes in both artists works– from the wonders of childhood to the intricacies of friendship and romance– with inspiration drawn from mythology and classic literature. Featured works are generously donated to Norman Rockwell Museum by Jeanne Steig, and the Museum is grateful to the Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art for loaning original drawings from Shrek! and Alpha Beta Chowder, a book illustrated by William Steig, and illustrated by his wife Jeanne.
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| William Steig |
About William Steig
Born in Brooklyn on November 14, 1907, William Steig was the son of Eastern European Jewish immigrants, a family of artists who nurtured his creative gifts from an early age. As a child, he dabbled in painting and drawing, and was an avid reader of literature. After attending high school, he spent two years at City College in New York, three years at the National Academy of Design, and a mere five days at Yale School of Fine Arts. To help support his family during the Great Depression, Steig began shopping his drawings around to publishers, eventually landing a gig at The New Yorker. His Small Fry cartoon series, depicting children in extraordinary situations inspired by his own childhood growing up in the Bronx, became a regular feature in the magazine, and were subsequently published in a number of popular cartoon collections. In 1939, Steig released the first of a collection of “symbolic drawings” inspired by psychoanalysis and modern art, which pushed the boundaries of cartoon art. The illustrator continued to experiment with artistic style and subject matter, becoming a highly influential commentator on man’s everyday struggles, foibles, and matters of the heart.
A native of Chicago, Jeanne Steig is the author of several books of light verse and two books of prose, including Consider the Lemming, a Parent’s Choice Remarkable Book; The Old Testament Made Easy; Alpha Beta Chowder; A Handful of Beans, a New York Times Book Review Best Illustrated Book; and A Gift from Zeus: Sixteen Favorite Myths, a Publisher’s Weekly Best Book of the Year. All were illustrated by William Steig, with the exception of Tales from Gizzard’s Grill, illustrated by Sandy Turner, and Fleas!, illustrated by Britt Spenser. Her latest book, The Lost Art of William Steig, will be published by Harry N. Abrams next year.
Jeanne Steig is also a self-taught visual artist, working almost exclusively with street finds and other discarded materials. Her vibrant dimensional artworks have been exhibited widely over the past 35 years.
Exhibition Related Programs and Events
A Member’s Exhibition Opening for William Steig: Love and Laughter will be held on Saturday, June 12, from 7 to 9:30 p.m. Artist Jeanne Steig will offer commentary about her husband’s life and career starting at 7:15 p.m., followed by a festive evening of music, dancing, and conversation; refreshments and a cash bar will be served. Free for Museum members, $25 for non-members. RSVP requested by June 7, by calling 413.298.4100, ext. 221.
Spend an evening with Jeanne Steig, a self-taught visual artist working almost exclusively in street finds and other discarded materials. The author of several books of light verse and prose including Alpha Beta Chowder; A Handful of Beans, a New York Times Best Illustrated Book; and A Gift from Zeus: Sixteen Favorite Myths, a Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year and New York Times Notable Book, Ms. Steig is the widow of noted illustrator William Steig, and her art is currently on view in William Steig: Love & Laughter. Free with Museum admission.
Explore the art of The New Yorker through the eyes of its ingenious comic creators. A cartoonist for the magazine for more than 25 years, Liza Donnelley will share the best illustrated jokes, gag cartoons, and slice-of-life drawings, offering a rare first-hand glimpse of the creative process. Ms. Donnelley’s latest book, When Do They Serve the Wine, along with Funny Ladies, Sex and Sensibility, and Cartoon Marriage, will be available for signing at a reception with the artist following the program. Free with Museum admission.
Laugh along with your children in this Shrek-alicious family festival filled with music, storytelling, and art-making inspired by the art of William Steig. Kids free to age 18, adults free with Museum admission.
Celebrate the art of William Steig and a cast of extraordinary characters, from his villains on Rotten Island to well-loved friends from Shrek!, Dr. DeSoto, and Sylvester and the Magic Pebble. Mary Jo Maichack’s Halloween tales, featuring everything from Hungarian ghosts to goofy vampire jokes, will be sure to delight with just the right amount of fright. Art activities and seasonal treats will be served. $6, $5 for Museum members.
PIXEL
William Steig / El rey de las caricaturas
William Steig, creador de 'Shrek', dibujante de borrachos y sátiros
Cantos al Riesgo y al Misterio / La obra para niños de William Steig
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