An exhibition of Leo Lionni for Everyone, featuring the picture book author Leo Lionni, whose many works are beloved in Japan, will be held from July 13th to September 29th at the Togo Seiji Memorial Sompo Japan Nipponkoa Museum of Art in Shinjuku.
"Swimmy" 1963 Watercolour, monotype 54.5×72.5cm Slovak National Gallery
Swimmy 1963 by Leo Lionni, renewed 1991/Pantheon On Loan By The Slovak National Gallery
Works by Leo Lionni, On Loan By The Lionni Family
"Swimmy" is the story of a black fish, the only one among a group of red siblings. Featured in elementary school textbooks, it is beloved throughout Japan. After working as a graphic designer in Italy and the United States, author Leo Lionni made his first foray into the world of picture books with "Blue and Yellow." Using a variety of techniques including watercolor, oil painting and collage, he depicts stories in which young protagonists, such as "Frederick" the mouse and "One Leg, One Leg" the caterpillar, search for and learn about their own identity.
The "Leo Lionni for Everyone" exhibition will showcase Leoni's turbulent life, which saw him constantly travel between Europe and the United States, through the display of approximately 200 of his works. "Frederick," 1967, watercolor, pastel, and collage on paper, 51 x 63.6 cm. Frederick ©1967, renewed 1995 by Leo Lionni / Pantheon. Works by Leo Lionni, On Loan By The Lionni Family. The exhibition is divided into four keywords related to Lionni's life. Chapter 1, "Leo and Art," focuses on the relationship between Lionni and art, and mainly introduces original picture book illustrations that reflect his thoughts. Works from his first solo exhibition and an oil painting inspired by a memory of a birthday present he received when he was 9 years old will also be on display.
Chapter 2, "Finding Yourself," will feature picture books that portray who we are in a positive light and give us the courage to live. As a special corner, the original illustrations of "Swimmy," which is visiting Japan for the first time, will also be introduced. The five original illustrations are slightly different from the illustrations in the picture book, "Swimmy," and can be viewed by comparing them with the panels in the picture book.
Chapter 3 is themed "In Search of Peace." In addition to examining picture books that express the importance of peace, the book also explores Lionni's belief that "artists must contribute to society through their artwork" through his graphic design work. Additionally, panels will introduce the story behind the creation of "Blue and Yellow," Leoni's first picture book and the first to introduce abstract expression into a children's book.
Chapter 4, titled "Real? Fiction?", will feature picture books that blend reality and fiction, oil paintings from the "Imaginary Portraits" series depicting real and fictional people, and the "Parallel Plants" series, which uses fictional plants as its motif.
In addition to the exhibits, there will also be a corner where parents and children can enjoy reading Leoni's picture books and experiencing the world of the picture books through videos and decorative objects. From July 16th to 21st, "Talk-Free Week" will be held, allowing visitors to enjoy the artwork while chatting without worrying about the volume of their voices, making it a comfortable visit for families with children.
"Swimmy" 1963 Watercolour, monotype 54.5×72.5cm Slovak National GallerySwimmy 1963 by Leo Lionni, renewed 1991/Pantheon On Loan By The Slovak National Gallery
Works by Leo Lionni, On Loan By The Lionni Family
"Swimmy" is the story of a black fish, the only one among a group of red siblings. Featured in elementary school textbooks, it is beloved throughout Japan. After working as a graphic designer in Italy and the United States, author Leo Lionni made his first foray into the world of picture books with "Blue and Yellow." Using a variety of techniques including watercolor, oil painting and collage, he depicts stories in which young protagonists, such as "Frederick" the mouse and "One Leg, One Leg" the caterpillar, search for and learn about their own identity.
The "Leo Lionni for Everyone" exhibition will showcase Leoni's turbulent life, which saw him constantly travel between Europe and the United States, through the display of approximately 200 of his works. "Frederick," 1967, watercolor, pastel, and collage on paper, 51 x 63.6 cm. Frederick ©1967, renewed 1995 by Leo Lionni / Pantheon. Works by Leo Lionni, On Loan By The Lionni Family. The exhibition is divided into four keywords related to Lionni's life. Chapter 1, "Leo and Art," focuses on the relationship between Lionni and art, and mainly introduces original picture book illustrations that reflect his thoughts. Works from his first solo exhibition and an oil painting inspired by a memory of a birthday present he received when he was 9 years old will also be on display.
Chapter 2, "Finding Yourself," will feature picture books that portray who we are in a positive light and give us the courage to live. As a special corner, the original illustrations of "Swimmy," which is visiting Japan for the first time, will also be introduced. The five original illustrations are slightly different from the illustrations in the picture book, "Swimmy," and can be viewed by comparing them with the panels in the picture book.
Chapter 3 is themed "In Search of Peace." In addition to examining picture books that express the importance of peace, the book also explores Lionni's belief that "artists must contribute to society through their artwork" through his graphic design work. Additionally, panels will introduce the story behind the creation of "Blue and Yellow," Leoni's first picture book and the first to introduce abstract expression into a children's book.
Chapter 4, titled "Real? Fiction?", will feature picture books that blend reality and fiction, oil paintings from the "Imaginary Portraits" series depicting real and fictional people, and the "Parallel Plants" series, which uses fictional plants as its motif.
In addition to the exhibits, there will also be a corner where parents and children can enjoy reading Leoni's picture books and experiencing the world of the picture books through videos and decorative objects. From July 16th to 21st, "Talk-Free Week" will be held, allowing visitors to enjoy the artwork while chatting without worrying about the volume of their voices, making it a comfortable visit for families with children.
【Exhibition Information】
Leo Lionni for Everyone
Dates: July 13th - September 29th
Venue: Togo Seiji Memorial Sompo Japan Nipponkoa Museum of Art
Address: 42nd Floor, Sompo Japan Nipponkoa Headquarters Building, 1-26-1 Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
Hours: 10:00 - 18:00 *Last admission 17:30
Closed: Mondays (Open on July 15th, August 12th, September 16th, and 23rd)
Admission: Adults 1,300 yen (1,100 yen) University students 900 yen (700 yen) High school students and younger free
※( ) Prices in parentheses indicate advance tickets and group rates for groups of 20 or more. Admission is free for those presenting a Physical Disability Certificate, Rehabilitation Certificate, or Mental Health and Welfare Certificate and one accompanying person. Admission is free for those presenting an Atomic Bomb Survivor's Health Certificate. Advance tickets are on sale until July 12th.
*Unauthorized reproduction of images is prohibited.Leo Lionni for Everyone
Dates: July 13th - September 29th
Venue: Togo Seiji Memorial Sompo Japan Nipponkoa Museum of Art
Address: 42nd Floor, Sompo Japan Nipponkoa Headquarters Building, 1-26-1 Nishi-Shinjuku, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
Hours: 10:00 - 18:00 *Last admission 17:30
Closed: Mondays (Open on July 15th, August 12th, September 16th, and 23rd)
Admission: Adults 1,300 yen (1,100 yen) University students 900 yen (700 yen) High school students and younger free
※( ) Prices in parentheses indicate advance tickets and group rates for groups of 20 or more. Admission is free for those presenting a Physical Disability Certificate, Rehabilitation Certificate, or Mental Health and Welfare Certificate and one accompanying person. Admission is free for those presenting an Atomic Bomb Survivor's Health Certificate. Advance tickets are on sale until July 12th.
