Babar's USA ExhibitFor kids 4 to 74
At the Custom House
The Key West Art and Historical Society presents an exhibit of artist Laurent de Brunhoff’s drawings from his book “Babar’s USA.”
The exhibit opened Feb. 12, 5:30 – 7 p.m., at the Custom House Museum, 281 Front St. To see a slide show of the reception Click Here.
Laurent’s father Jean began the famously popular children's books in France in 1931, based on Laurent’s mother’s bedtime stories told to her children about an elephant named Babar.
Jean died in 1937. Laurent, an aspiring abstract artist, picked up where his father left off and began his Babar books in 1948. Laurent has kept to his father’s style used in the original books and has publishing more than 30 books to date. He is currently working on the next book, "Babar’s Wedding."
"The Babar books continue to be popular with children from 4 to 74," Laurent said from his home in Key West. “It amazes me each time a family shows up to a signing and I see a grandparent, parent and child, and each tells me about their first Babar book."
Laurent and his wife Phyllis began living in Key West in 1989, when they rented a waterfront home in Old Town for years and then bought their current home in 1996.
"We love the weather, of course," said Phyllis, an accomplished photographer. "But we also love snorkeling and swimming and at our rented house we snorkeled off the beach every chance we could."
"Daily," Laurent reminded her with a smile.
Working from home in Key West, Laurent enjoys his plush tropical garden, has room outside to entertain, a koi pond and a pool for the days the couple do not snorkel.
"I live a very portable lifestyle and don’t require much," Laurent smiled. "All I really need is my watercolors and imagination, so I can work anywhere, but we love it here."
The couple often spends the summer at their home in New York City.
Phyllis does the text for the books.
Laurent and Phyllis talk about a new book's concept and if the idea stimulates him to draw, he begins with sketches. If not, he moves on.
Laurent considers Babar a children’s book. He uses photographs for the story and places drawings of Babar and his growing family within the photo. In his current book, Laurent has Babar sitting at a table in his back yard and in a few other Key West locations, as well as many locations around the country.
The exhibit consists of Laurent's watercolors used in the "Babar’s USA" book.
"We are excited about this unique exhibit," said Claudia Pennington, CEO of the society, "because Laurent is a local artist with worldwide recognition, but also because so many of us grew up with a Babar book in our bedroom. This is a chance for the whole family to come in and share a Babar experience."
There is a $10 charge for non-members opening night and members are free.
