Czech Center New York presents Peter Sis~The Wall, a documentary exhibition by the internationally acclaimed illustrator, author and filmmaker. Curated by Joachim Dvořák and Michaela Šilpochová, the exhibition is based on Sis’s award-winning autobiographical picture book “The Wall: Growing Up Behind the Iron Curtain.”
On view September 16 to November 19, 2021, Peter Sis ~ The Wall will showcase a series of original illustrations from the book and a documentary installation featuring drawings, photographs, and objects made by Sis as well as objects and ephemera from the period of 1950s-1980s. Presented on replicas of red street noticeboards, which were used for propaganda of the communist regime, the installation creates a powerful account of the artist’s experience in Cold War-era Prague. The exhibition is organized by the Czech Center New York and produced by the Labyrint Publishing House in collaboration with the DOX Centre for Contemporary Art and Czech Centres.
Considered Sis’ most ambitious and personal book, “The Wall: Growing Up Behind the Iron Curtain” is a 2007 New York Times Book Review Best Illustrated Book of the Year, a 2009 Caldecott Honor Book, a 2008 Bank Street ~ Best Children’s Book of the Year, the winner of the 2008 Boston Globe ~ Horn Book Award for nonfiction, and a nominee for the 2008 Eisner Award for Best Publication for Kids.
“Many of Peter Sís’s readers were not yet born when ‘the wall came down’. His brilliant autobiographical picture-book deserves to become a minor classic, keeping in the collective memory a shameful period of history which must never be forgotten.”….. Sir Tom Stoppard, British Playwright, and Screenwriter.
“Peter Sís’s book is most of all about the will to live one’s life in freedom and should be required reading for all those who take their freedom for granted.” … Václav Havel, former president of the Czech Republic
Peter Sis is an internationally renowned writer of children’s books, illustrator, graphic artist and a creator of animated films. He was born in 1949 in Brno and grew up in Prague. He studied painting and filmmaking at the Academy of Applied Arts in Prague and the Royal College of Art in London. He went to American in 1982, where he started illustrating for periodicals like The New York Times and soon began writing books.
Peter Sis ~ The Wall: How I Grew Up Behind The Iron Curtain will be on view from September 16 to November 19, 2021 at The Czech Center New York, located in the historic Bohemian National Hall, 321 East 73rd Street, NYC. The Gallery is open on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 1:00 to 6:00pm. Masks and proof of vaccination are required to enter the venue. Photo ID will be checked.