June 12, 2027 – January 24, 2028
Known around the world for his iconic “I SPY!” and “Can You See What I See?” children’s book series, Walter Wick is one of the nation’s most famous photographic illustrators.
Wick’s whimsical worlds have enchanted people of all ages since 1992, when his first children’s book series, “I SPY,” found its way onto bookshelves in millions of American homes. Over the past 35 years, he has published more than 26 titles.
Throughout his decades-long career, Wick’s award-winning books, published by Scholastic Inc., have captivated readers across cultures and generations, combining art, craft, and technology to inspire discovery and wonder.
Through Wick’s lens, everyday objects become portals to imagined landscapes and intricate, impossible worlds, inviting viewers to explore visual stories that transcend age and time.
Organized by the New Britain Museum of American Art, New Britain, CT, the exhibition, the largest survey of Wick’s work to date, features 80 large-scale photographs, along with elaborate three-dimensional sets and models that invite visitors of all ages to step into Wick’s magical world of visual riddles, puzzles, and optical illusions.
Beloved works such as “Yikes!”, “Clouds” and “City Blocks” from “I SPY FANTASY” will join rarely seen work, including Wick’s early photographs of optical illusions in nature. The exhibition delves into themes that have long fascinated Wick, including miniature worlds, optical illusions, “I SPY” games, puzzle challenges and the wonders of science.
The exhibition highlights Wick’s unique approach to storytelling and showcases his 50+ years of innovation, wonder and imagination. Wick’s challenging search-and-find photographs, visual riddles, and playful scenes are cherished for their “play-art” learning style which encourages visitors to use their imagination and thinking skills simultaneously.
The Upcountry History Museum, Greenville, South Carolina, is currently the only South Carolina stop on the exhibition’s national tour.
