What Might You Do? features original works of art for 17 children’s books illustrated by award-winning artist Christian Robinson. Robinson produces his colorful and modern pictures primarily in acrylic paint and collage, and the exhibition includes study drawings, finished works, and books for reading. Playful, poignant, and full of positive energy, Robinson’s illustrations celebrate the value of different perspectives and kindness to all.
Growing up in an apartment crowded with family, Christian Robinson took up drawing to make space for himself and create the world he wanted to live in. Instantly familiar to parents of young children today, Robinson’s illustrations appear in best-selling and critically acclaimed books. Published in 2015, Last Stop on Market Street, written by Matt de la Peña and illustrated by Robinson, reached #1 on the New York Times bestseller list and was awarded a Caldecott Honor, a Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor, and the Newbery Medal.
I'd like a big cake, 2017 from When's My Birthday. Christian Robinson (born 1986). Acrylic paint and collage on paper, 18 x 16 inches. © 2017 by Christian Robinson.
A man climbed aboard with a spotted dog, 2015 from Last Stop on Market Street. Christian Robinson (born 1986). Acrylic on paper, 17.5 x 14 inches. © 2015 by Christian Robinson.
On the ship from New York, 2014 from Josephine. Christian Robinson (born 1986). Acrylic paint on paper, 18 x 15.75 inches. © 2014 by Christian Robinson.
She flew from stage to stage, 2012 from Harlem's Little Blackbird. Christian Robinson (born 1986). Acrylic paint on paper, 18.5 x 14.75 inches. © 2012 by Christian Robinson.
Chasing cat in balls, 2019 from Another. Christian Robinson (born 1986). Acrylic paint and collage on paper, 22 x 16 inches. © 2017 by Christian Robinson.
And just in case you want to sing, 2019 from Just in Case You Want to Fly. Christian Robinson (born 1986). Acrylic paint and collage on paper, 17.5 x 16 inches. © 2019 by Christian Robinson.
here's a blanket, 2019 from Just in Case You Want to Fly. Christian Robinson (born 1986). Acrylic paint and collage on paper, 18 x 15.5 inches. © 2019 by Christian Robinson.
How are you Mr. Frog, 2013 from Rain. Christian Robinson (born 1986). Acrylic paint and collage on paper, 18 x 14.5 inches. © 2013 by Christian Robinson.
Cover from You Matter, 2020. Christian Robinson (born 1986). Acrylic paint and collage on paper, 18.5 x 16 inches. © 2020 by Christian Robinson.
Crew of breakers bounds onto train, 2021 from Milo. Christian Robinson (born 1986). Acrylic paint and collage on paper, 24.5 x 14.25 inches. © 2021 by Christian Robinson.
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Organizers & Sponsors
This exhibition was organized by the National Center for Children's Illustrated Literature, Abilene, Texas. "What Might You Do?" is made possible in Delaware by the Jessie Ball duPont Fund, the Edgar A. Thronson Foundation Illustration Exhibition Fund, and M&T Bank. This organization is supported, in part, by a grant from the Delaware Division of the Arts, a state agency, in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts. The Division promotes Delaware arts events on www.DelawareScene.com.
