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The whimsical world of Walter Wick has fascinated people of all ages since 1991, when his first children's book series I SPY found its way onto the bookshelves of millions of American households. Wick's books have garnered such acclaim that he is now one of the most celebrated photographic illustrators of all time. Wick began his artistic career as a landscape photographer before becoming enamored with the technical aspects of studio photography. Wick aspired to master studio techniques but also to represent such concepts as the perception of space and time in photographs, and he experimented with mirrors, time exposures, photo composites, and other tricks to do so. This manipulation of processes and perception has led to a prolific career that has now over 30 years after the release of I SPLY: A Book of Picture Riddles, resulted in the publication of more than 26 children's books.
In the past 16 years, the New Britain Museum of American Art (NBMAA) has celebrated Wick's delightful imagery in several installations, including the highly acclaimed 2006 exhibition Walter Wick; Games, Gizmos, and Toys in the Attic which traveled to 15 additional museums across the United States. In 2015 through the generosity of Walter Wick and Linda Cheverton Wick, the NBMAA was gifted a collection of 84 of Wick's masterful photographs. The appeal of Wick's photographs, books, and installations has continued to draw admirers of all ages from across Connecticut and around the world.
The exhibition is the largest survey of Wick's work to date. Titled after his recent book, Walter Wick: Hidden Wonders! the exhibition showcases 50 years of innovation, wonder, and imagination. Tracing the span of Wick's career, the exhibition is organized by themes that have long fascinated Wick, including Miniature World; Floor Games; Craft-Built Worlds; Optical Illusions; I Spy Games; Puzzle Challenges, Wonders of Science, Connecticut Woods; and Curiosity Shop. The exhibition pairs beloved images, including over 15 never-before-seen works, with numerous three-dimensional models upon which his photographs are based. Celebrating five decades of creativity, as well as Wick's indelible role in the development of photographic illustration, this exhibition is a must-see for art lovers of any age.
This exhibition is organized by the New Britain Museum of American Art, New Britain, Connecticut in partnership with the artist, Walter Wick. Walter Wick: Hidden Wonders! is made possible by The Saunders Foundation and the Cheryl Chase and Stuart Bear Family Foundation.
Premiere Sponsor:
Iowa Tourism Office and Iowa Arts Council, both part of the Iowa Economic Development Authority
Supporting Sponsor:
MidAmerican Energy Company
Contributing Sponsor:
Rhythm City Casino
Sears Seating
Modern Woodman of America
Program Sponsor:
Whitey's Ice Cream
Media Sponsor:
B100 the Quad Cities #1 Hit Music Station
Sunday April 14th