Musings of Mystery and Alphabets of Agony

September 26, 2010 - December 10, 2010
Mānoa Campus, Art Building, University of Hawaii Art Gallery

The University of Hawai‘i Art Gallery in collaboration with the University of Hawai‘i Library presents work by celebrated, prolific American author and artist Edward Gorey (1925–2000), revered for his distinctly elegant, enigmatic, and eerie black and white illustrations.

This exhibition features over 700 books, book jackets, prints, posters, original drawings, postcards, handmade dolls, and other ephemera from the John A. Carollo - Edward Gorey Collection in the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa Library’s Special Research Collections, with special loans courtesy of The Edward Gorey Charitable Trust, New York City and the Edward Gorey House, Yarmouth Port, Massachusetts.

Through poetical prose and short narratives with obsessively crosshatched drawings, Gorey invented a gothic world of Victorian/Edwardian interiors and remote landscapes with stylishly dressed characters entangled in provocative and humorous tales of mystery, peril, and bizarre twists of fate. His mischievous children, incredible creatures, and nonsensical plots and parody amuse and delight readers around the world.

This exhibition honors Edward Gorey who left a legacy of over one hundred authored books and more than 80 books that he illustrated for others. His devotion towards literary works, cinema, George Balanchine’s New York City Ballet, and to animals and his cats is legendary. Gorey’s influence is international with his works translated in 15 languages. His words and images have inspired many writers, visual artists, musicians, and filmmakers to create compositions, interpretive theatrical productions, graphic design, and animations.

Special events presented in conjunction with this exhibition will be listed separately on the UH events calendar and http://www.hawaii.edu/artgallery/ Illustration from "The Chinese Obelisks," Image Courtesy & © The Edward Gorey Charitable Trust.


Ticket Information
Gallery hours: Mon-Fri 10:30-5:00; Sun 12:00-5:00. Closed Sat.; Nov. 2, Election Day; Nov. 11, Veterans Day; Nov. 25 & 26, Thanksgiving. Admission is free. Donations are appreciated. Parking fees may apply.

Event Sponsor
Dept. of Art & Art History, and the College of Arts and Humanities and University of Hawaii at Manoa Library, Mānoa Campus

More Information
Sharon Tasaka, 956-6888, gallery@hawaii.edu, http://www.hawaii.edu/artgallery/

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