Kevin Henkes
On May 6, Madison’s Central Library will unveil a gallery exhibit of 40 never-before-seen new works of abstract collage by Kevin Henkes, the much-lauded and world-renowned Madison author and children’s book illustrator.
“This is the show I’ve been waiting for,” says Madison Public Library “Head Bubblerarian” and arts coordinator Trent Miller. Based on a glimpse of some of the works shown to Isthmus, the wait was worth it.
Henkes’ lively shapes, colors and textures are balanced in a range of high-spirited paper compositions. Eye-pleasing contrasts and harmonies meet sophistication, simplicity and the mysterious use of line — elements that make virtuosic abstract forms simultaneously new and as eternal as the ancient designs in nature’s own startling motifs and one-offs.
Miller tells Isthmus that he and others working on the Central Library’s arts program, called the Bubbler, are “super excited” about presenting the colorful, smaller-scale fine art works that will show the public a new aspect of Henkes’ talents. The exhibit will run through June after opening for a May 6 Gallery Night, from 6 to 10 p.m., in the Central Library’s Diane Endres Ballweg Gallery.
“People who know and love Henkes’ children’s books are going to be surprised when they see these amazing collages,” Miller says, referring to such critically acclaimed titles as Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse and Kitten’s First Full Moon and Waiting, to name only a few of the prolific artist’s books.
Racine-born Henkes attended UW-Madison and has won multiple major awards for his books, including the prestigious Caldecott, Newbery and Geisel honors and medals — the gold standard for children’s literature. He constructs his mixed media two-dimensional collages with paper he’s been saving since the 1980s, says Miller. All the works have been composed within the past four years.
Miller adds that Henkes applied to the Central Library to show his work, submitting to a jury process. “He thought we’d be a great venue.”
