The artist known to his legions of pint-sized fans as Dr. Seuss is having the spotlight turned on him in a free exhibit at Vancouver’s Pendulum Gallery (885 West Georgia Street) this month.

Taking place from this Monday (July 11) to July 30, The Art of Dr. Seuss will feature a selection of never-before-seen paintings and sculptures by the late Theodor Seuss Geisel, author and illustrator of such children’s classics as Horton Hears a Who!, The Cat in the Hat, and How the Grinch Stole Christmas!

Many of these pieces were crafted by Geisel during his free evenings—and thus, dubbed the “Midnight Paintings”—and until recently, were stowed away at the Dr. Seuss estate.

Alongside these private works, which include 3-D “unorthodox taxidermy” sculptures with names like Carbonic Walrus and Goo-Goo-Eyed Tasmanaian Wolghast, visitors will find a collection of fantastical art sourced from Geisel’s most popular books. 

“There’s this unique kind of Seussian style, in terms of a common thread, throughout all his work,” says Jeff Schuffman, spokesperson for The Art of Dr. Seuss, in a phone interview with the Straight. “But the paintings are surreal. They’re colourful; they’re loose. They’re expressive and very artistic.”

Approximately 40 estate-authorized, limited-edition renderings of the artist’s drawings, paintings, and sculptures will be on display at The Art of Dr. Seuss. Hosted by Toronto’s Liss Gallery, the exhibit marks the first time that these pieces will be seen and available for sale in Vancouver.

“It’s quite an eye-opening experience to learn more about someone who we’ve all grown up with and know so much about through his literary expression,” adds Schuffman.

For more information about the The Art of Dr. Seuss, click here. Scroll through the gallery above for a preview of the collection.