is the title of a collection of Tomi Ungerer’s drawings that I came across this weekend. they are so weird and I love them so much. something about these two families facing each other really gets at our mutual bewilderment for me:
Ungerer was a world renowned children’s book writer and illustrator who was spurned/controversial for also drawing erotica and creating anti-war graphics.
he was also a sculptor, a collage artist, satirist and activist. of his global resonance he says, “If all these books still thrive, now translated into over 40 languages, it is most likely because at the time they broke all the rules applied to children’s books peopled with cushy teddy bears in an illusory world where everyone is nice, happy and stupid.”1 his children’s books explore fear, belonging, and friendship.2
so many of the drawings in ‘Compromises’ feel like they get at the emotional tenor of life’s absurdity. the good news is that sometimes this can be endearing (even if it is so often unnerving). it feels like Ungerer gestures towards the sweetness in strangeness:
of his more explicitly political work he says:
“Satire is the outlet for my revulsion towards a society turned into a pigsty by materialism, consumerism, greed and arrogance……I have been reproached for being obscene in my depictions, but what can I do, society is obscene and my drawings reflect this. And without mercy!”3
we need outlets for our revulsion, ways to move through it and towards awake care. may strange beauty find you in the week to come.
https://www.tomiungerer.com/childrens-books
one of his books has been turned into a show in Ireland called ‘Flix’ about the only dog growing up in cat town. the theme song is really catchy lol
https://www.tomiungerer.com/drawings