The Irish Cultural Center in Paris tributes Alsatian-born satirist and illustrator Tomi Ungerer (1931-2019)—who lived in Ireland for more than forty years– with an exhibition “En Attendant” featuring his “Waiting for Godot” collage series and several sculptures (until July 5, 2019).
Ungerer’s world view was largely influenced by his experience of the Second World War. In his book “Tomi – A Childhood Under the Nazis” he said “My outlook on the world was clearly defined by a loathing and abhorrence of violence, prejudice, injustice and fanaticism of any kind.” A provocateur and prolific artist, his more than 140 publications and 40.000 drawings ranged from children’s books to controversial adult and protest art. Ungerer contributed illustrations to numerous humanitarian campaigns including nuclear disarmament, Amnesty International, Reporters without Borders and most recently European integration.
Although his collages and sculptures are less well-know than his children’s books, they were an integral part of his production from the 1950’s onwards. Touching on subjects such as politics, religion and the excesses of contemporary lifestyles his collages share with Beckett a sense of irreverence, humor and the absurd.
The exhibition at the Irish Cultural Center (5, rue des Irlandais, 75005) runs parallel with another exhibition of the artist’s work “Overdose” at Galerie Georges-Philippe & Nathalie Vallois, 33, rue de Seine, 75006 (April 17-May 25).