Over 600 items from the life and work of noted author, artist, and designer Edward Gorey fill three galleries at the Cushing Library at Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas. The show, which opened on April 10, was scheduled to run through September 17 but has now been extended until September 30.
According to the brochure produced by the university, “Ubiquitous Edward Gorey” takes a deeper look at Gorey’s output, too often characterized as merely dark whimsey or gothic sensibility. Gorey authored and illustrated more than one hundred books of his own and illustrated, drew covers, and designed typography for hundreds of books of others, including Charles Dickens, H.G. Wells, and T.S. Eliot. He is also known for his costume and set design for the Broadway production of Dracula and the animated introduction to the long running series Mystery! (now Masterpiece Mystery!) broadcast on public television.
Cushing librarian and curator Beth Kilmarx noted the exhibit includes family photographs, artwork, books, dust jackets, posters, ephemera and objects, including one of Gorey’s own fur coats. “The exhibition honors the centenary of Gorey’s birth and provides a biographical context to explore his wide range of work,” she explained. The exhibit also highlights the Cushing’s own Gorey collection.
Chris and Patrice Miller, who have loaned most of materials on display, have been collecting Gorey for more than 40 years. Both find Gorey’s work thought-provoking and fun. Ms. Miller, who co-curated the exhibit with Ms. Kilmarx, offered that the exhibit’s purpose is to introduce Gorey to a new audience and expand interest in Gorey scholarship. According to Ms. Miller, visitors to the exhibit have the rare opportunity to see examples of his work across the spectrum, which include translations, education, advertising, and periodicals. The Millers are grateful to Texas A&M for the opportunity to present a sampling of Gorey’s prolific fifty-year career and thereby helping to ensure his legacy. Ms. Miller, who took up bookbinding after a career in federal service, continues to be challenged by Gorey’s work with projects for the Millers’ imprint, Aredian Press. Her work can be found in both private and university collections (aredian.co).
The April 10 opening was well attended by university staff, students, Friends of the Cushing Library, and friends of the Millers. To the curators’ delight, attendees expressed a mix of surprise at the range of Gorey’s output and by recognition of illustrations and writings encountered during their childhoods. Class visitation has been steady and student attendees have commented enthusiastically in the exhibition visitor log. Already several professors have declared intentions to include Gorey study in their fall classes. As Ms. Kilmarx noted with pride: “It’s taken on a life of its own.”
An early manifestation of scholarship was realized on May 1, when noted historian, McArthur Genius Grant recipient, and University of Colorado visiting professor Dr. Patricia Limerick spoke about Edward Gorey at a history department sponsored event. She described her fandom dating back to 1972, during her first days as a graduate student. Having heard about the Cushing exhibit, she excitedly volunteered to speak about his impact on her own life and work. The assembled group enjoyed a lively discussion about life, death, and eccentricity as public service.
Ms. Kilmarx and the Millers are confident that the exhibition will continue to inspire scholarship and creativity throughout its run.
The Cushing Library galleries are open to the public Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; admission to the exhibit is free. College Station is located near the state’s center and is less than a three-hour drive from Fort Worth, Austin, San Antonio, Dallas, or Houston.
The exhibit is staged with the cooperation of the Edward Gorey Charitable Trust.
