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player ready...When David Diaz won the 1995 Caldecott Medal honoring his illustrations for “Smoky Night,” a children’s book about the Los Angeles riots, the award was controversial.
Jean Sousa, associate director for exhibitions and family programs at the Art Institute of Chicago, says she understands. “In the past, children’s books have been sweet stories, and I thought that children should have a protected time in their lives with fairy tales and fun,” she says. She, however, says she changed her mind when she saw Diaz’s book.
“Books like `Smoky Night’ help children deal with the social unrest in their lives,” she explains. “The story really has to do with people coming together in the face of adversity and the artwork reflects the order and chaos of the story.”
Two of Diaz’s original, expressionistic, acrylic paintings for “Smoky Night” are on display in a special exhibition, “Illustrations from Caldecott Medal and Honor Books, 1990-1995,” in the Kraft Education Center of the Art Institute. The Caldecott Award, established by the American Library Association in 1937, recognizes the contribution of Randolph Caldecott to children’s literature. This 19th Century illustrator is credited with creating the first picture book for children.
The work of the 21 artists featured in the exhibit includes some of the oil paintings on wood veneer created by Paul O. Zelinsky to depict the formidable heroine of “Swamp Angel.” Also on display are works in colored pencil and water color created for “John Henry” by Jerry Pinkney, who says he “tries to portray the emotional flow and quality of jazz” in his illustrations.
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“Illustrations from Caldecott Medal and Honor Winners, 1990-1995,” through Oct. 15, Kraft Education Center at the Art Institute, Michigan Avenue at Adams Street. Book signing by Paul O. Zelinsky, 1-2:30 p.m. June 24; book signing by Jerry Pinkney, 2:30-4 p.m. June 24; papermaking demonstration and book signing by Denise Fleming, 1-3 p.m. June 24-25. Free with museum admission, $6.50 adult, $3.25 children. 312-443-3533.