STOCKBRIDGE, MASS.- The Norman Rockwell Museum presents Never Abandon Imagination: The Fantastical Art of Tony DiTerlizzi, an exhibition of works by the acclaimed illustrator/writer that will be on view at the Museum from November 11, 2017, through May 28, 2018. Known for his successful book series The Spiderwick Chronicles, DiTerlizzi is widely celebrated for his images of such fantasy creatures as fairies, trolls, sprites, and goblins.
Never Abandon Imagination, which has been organized by Norman Rockwell Museum, will showcase over 150 original paintings and drawings, from the games Dungeons & Dragons and Magic: The Gathering, to his many fantasy and children’s books, in addition to artworks from his childhood and college years. The exhibition will highlight the artist’s influences and artistic process.
Just as his early work on video games is treasured by devoted fans of the genre, DiTerlizzi’s award-winning books—including The Spiderwick Chronicles; Ted; The Spider and the Fly; The Story of Diva and Flea; and The WondLa Trilogy—have inspired a new generation of young readers.
DiTerlizzi has influenced fans and fellow creators alike. "Tony’s work has a distinct flair, a love for monsters if you will," notes celebrated filmmaker Guillermo del Toro. "His creatures have the charm of Henson or Rackham but they carry with them hints of their own ecosystem. He stands alone as a creator of worlds and a weaver of tales."
With a style heavily influenced by Norman Rockwell, Arthur Rackham, Brian Froud, and others, DiTerlizzi has paid homage to those illustrators, capturing their essence in his magical tales.
"Having a retrospective at the Norman Rockwell Museum is an incredible milestone," says DiTerlizzi. "I grew up copying his drawings and wishing I could be an illustrator like him. It's very meaningful to me to be able to have my work hanging alongside these paintings that are now iconic."
Tony DiTerlizzi began playing Dungeons & Dragons as a child, and the exhibition presents several early drawings, including handmade trading cards, of the young artist’s favorite characters. The artist went on to work as a professional illustrator for D&D during the 1990s, and the exhibition features character designs from 1993’s AD&D Monstrous Manual and 1996’s AD&D Planescape, where DiTerlizzi was the first artist in the company’s history to serve as the sole illustrator for an entire book.
Through the lessons he learned creating characters, designing worlds, and capturing the attention of his audience, the artist transitioned seamlessly into writing and illustrating children’s books. Highlights from this section include original artwork, reference materials, and props from such acclaimed children book series as The Spiderwick Chronicles and The WondLa Trilogy. The exhibition also includes original artwork from Jimmy Zangwow’s Out-of-This World Moonpie Adventure (2000), his first book for children; Kenny & The Dragon (2008), a retelling of Kenneth Grahame’s 1898 book The Reluctant Dragon; and the Paris-inspired The Story of Diva and Flea (2015), created with fellow author/illustrator Mo Willems. Other works showcase the impact of other illustrators on his art, including the Charles Addams and Edward Gorey-influenced book The Spider and the Fly.
Never Abandon Imagination will also feature a number of digital interactive displays, delving further into DiTerlizzi’s artistic influences and the process behind The Wondla Trilogy. Other highlights include a 23-stop audio tour personally narrated by the artist, a video interview, animations and soundscapes complementing the works on view.
