An exhibition organized by the Norman Rockwell Museum
"Birthday Pageant" Collection of the Artist (c) 2005 James Gurney. All rights reserved.
Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum, Wausau, WI January 28 – April 8, 2012
Nearly a year had gone by since I first made the discovery. It was purely by chance. I was tracking down some information about the spice trade in China when my eye fell upon a curious old leather-bound sketchbook. …Was this sketchbook merely a fantasy, or had I stumbled upon the only surviving record of a lost civilization
— James Gurney
Dinotopia: A Land Apart from Time
James Gurney’s Dinotopia bring the worlds of science and the imagination to life by chronicling Arthur and Will Denison’s remarkable experiences on a lost island in vibrant color and meticulous detail. Recounted in words and pictures in the best-selling book series, Dinotopia: A Land Apart From Time (1992), Dinotopia: The World Beneath (1995), and Dinotopia: First Flight (1999), the artist’s compelling tale has engaged and enchanted readers by inviting them to explore the far reaches of a mysterious destination. Waterfall City, the island’s center of learning, The Hatchery, birthplace of many of Dinotopia’s prehistoric inhabitants, and The Forbidden Mountains, where dinosaurs dare not venture, are just a few of the places described in Arthur Denison’s fictional journal and in the outstanding works on view.
Inspired by a deep and abiding interest in archaeology, lost civilizations, and the art of illustration, James Gurney invites viewers to enter a fantastical world in which dinosaurs and humans live side-by-side. His luminous paintings, beautifully crafted drawings and hand-made models, which are featured in this exhibition, explore the wonders of the distant past through the lens of the imagination. The artist’s original New York Times bestseller, Dinotopia: A Land Apart from Time, appears in eighteen languages with over two million copies sold. Dinotopia: Journey to Chandara, the next installment in the series, is scheduled for publication in 2007.
Fee: $12,000 for a time period of eight to twelve weeks, plus shipping & insurance
Contents: Approximately 60 original works of art; studies; introductory and biographical panels and object/extended identification labels.
Security: High, all works must be within sight of a trained security officer/staff member at all times during public hours.
Environment: Light level -18 to 22 foot candles for paintings and 5 to 7 foot candles for works on paper and other light restricted objects. Humidity -50% plus or minus 5% and temperature 68 – 72 degrees, no direct sunlight and no direct contact with light fixtures or heating, air conditioning, ventilation, or electrical outlets.
