WINNIE THE POOH: EXPLORING A CLASSIC

Weekend Edition | Elizabeth Cytko

---

This post for sure contains spoilers! Continue at your own risk. 

The Victoria and Albert Museum is capping off their world tour of "Winnie the Pooh: Exploring a Classic" at the Royal Ontario Museum. The exhibition explores the process behind the storytelling and art which created this beloved series.

I absolutely love the layout of this exhibition, it's fun, whimsical, and whisks you away to a different world. When you enter you are greeted  with large appealing words which immediately draw you in.

I literally feel as if I am in a story book! What is not shown in this photo are the large balloons hanging overhead, giving the room a sense of whimsy.
Photo courtesy of Elizabeth Cytko

On the right is the story of who Winnie the bear originally was and how they ended up in London to begin with - the Canadian connection is the ROM's contribution to the exhibition.  This then leads into the main parts of the exhibition that explores the life of Christopher Robin, the toys, and A.A. Milne (author) and  E. H. Shepard (illustrator).

How Winnie became Winnie the Pooh. The Canadian Connection.
Photo Courtesy of Elizabeth Cytko

The main text panels are books - books! Unfortunately due to the strange architectural layout of the building, we also get a preview of the ending of the exhibition.
Photo courtesy of Elizabeth Cytko

What I appreciated is that this exhibition has you physically inhabit the world of the books. You start in Christopher Robin's bedroom, move into E.H. Shepards shed where he did his illustrations, and pass through a portal into the Hundred Acre Wood itself.

Christopher Robin's Room.
Through the window you get a sneak peek of the Hundred Acre Wood.
Can you spot the books just waiting to be read?
Photo courtesy of Elizabeth Cytko

One of the main goals of the exhibition is to get people reading the books again. There are plenty of opportunities within the exhibition to sit down with the books - such as upon the very squishy and comfortable bed.

Shed of E.H. Shepard. This discusses the process he went through to illustrate the world.
Photo courtesy of Elizabeth Cytko.

What is not seen is the cozy seating area for children, and the books.
Another opportunity to read, and an inviting portal into the world of Pooh.
Photo courtesy of Elizabeth Cytko

Transported into the wood itself! I hear bees!
Photo courtesy of Elizabeth Cytko

Probably were wise not to provide Pooh Sticks... but the bridge and the river are very relaxing.
Photo courtesy of Elizabeth Cytko

Please note how throughout there are areas to sit and take things in (or possibly continue reading your book!)

Potential spoilers? Literally opening the cupboard as if we too are needing hunny!
Photo courtesy of Elizabeth Cytko

Technique and Composition.
Photo courtesy of Elizabeth Cytko

Another aspect that I loved about this exhibition is that it is geared to all ages. Instead of the adult awkwardly standing off to the side wistfully staring at the activity, a table is provided so that everybody can draw! If only more exhibitions incorporated this inclusive mentality - I too want to dress up as Boudicca/Ancient Egyptian Pharaoh/A Dinosaur/Winnie the Pooh!

Throughout are original planning sketches.
Photo courtesy of Elizabeth Cytko

A relatable mood.
Photo courtesy of Elizabeth Cytko

What I really appreciated about this exhibition is how it had me rethink this childhood classic. As a visual artist myself, I had never really "clicked" that Winnie the Pooh could fall into the comic book/graphic novel category of literature. How the images and text interplay with one another come to light here. I also appreciated how the process of E.H. Shepard is shown, the messy sketches, the trial of expressions, the scribbled out ideas.

Even if you do not care a jot or tittle about Winnie the Pooh, if you are an artist this is an absolute feast of inspiration. I definitely recommend you go, and take your time! Read a book or two! Perhaps allot at least two hours for exploration... or maybe go more than once!

The exhibition runs March 7, 2020 to August 3, 2020.