J. Otto Seibold – “Famous Paintings” Solo Exhibition @ KP Projects [LA]

Most people know the Oakland-based visual artist James Otto Seibold for his 1997 New York Times Bestseller, Olive, the Other Reindeer, and the animated Emmy-nominated holiday classic it spawned. Other beloved children’s books by the illustrator include Mr. Lunch Takes a Plane Ride, which won a Cuffie Award from Publishers Weekly, and Penguin Dreams, which was named a New York Times “Best Illustrated Book.” Those who enjoy Seibold, yet are unfamiliar with his work beyond the world of children’s literature, should be pleasantly surprised by his upcoming solo show, Famous Paintings, at KP Projects in Los Angeles this weekend. The striking graphic elements and bright, bold colors remain, but this new collection carries more emotional weight, the themes more “mature.” Most of all, he demonstrates a range and depth with these fine art pieces that might not always be as evident or garner the appreciation they deserve when presented in storybook form.

Seibold entered the art world during the “outsider art” craze of the 1990s and has gone on to exhibit at such establishments as Mass MOCA, Deitch Projects NYC, The Getty LA, Contemporary MOCA LA, Oakland Museum CA, and Galerie Impare in Paris. He has a very recognizable and clearly defined aesthetic, but it does not inhibit him from growth or experimentation. There is a repetition of imagery in Famous Paintings, most notably with vases and tendrilous plant life, but those subjects and symbols are often presented quite differently from one piece to the next. Depth, composition, and dimension are all aspects that Seibold toys with in this series. Some appear flatter, some are more painterly, and others are as 3-dimensional and clean as a digitally rendered image. This is made even more remarkable by the fact that all of this different work was created with the use of spray paint. His technique not only showcases the painter’s versatility but potential of the medium, as well.

The work has a classic retro appeal and a fantastical storybook quality reminiscent of the great Eyvind Earle, the graphic illustrative style of fellow Disney legend, Mary Blair, and artists like Carol Wyatt (Foster’s Home For Imaginary Friends) who they influenced. There’s a bit of a spiritual connection to the distorted shapes and kinetic typography of prolific Oscar-winning graphic and logo designer, Saul Bass, who created title sequences and film poster art for collaborators like Hitchcock, Kubrick, Otto Preminger, and Scorsese. Furthermore, Seibold could be displayed alongside the mid-century style popart of SHAG and possesses a taste of the psychedelia inflused into Yellow Submarine by Heinz Edelmann.

Besides Eyvind Earle, the first thing that came to mind when I saw this new collection was the word painting series by Wayne White. Both Wayne and Seibold have a vintage quality to their work and a history of producing content targeted toward children, but while White‘s word paintings are typically large, bold phrases plastered across his paintings, Seibold has inserted his words throughout in ways that are sometimes difficult to notice on first glance. The one word that appears the most throughout Famous Paintings is “FUCK.” It’s easy to deduce that this new show by the renowned children’s artist is NOT for kids, but that wouldn’t be entirely accurate. This exhibition is decidedly political, and the repeated use of such an expletive within the context of the show and the titles of several pieces suggests that it’s a frustrated reaction to the rise in fascism and the devastating genocide that is currently taking place in Palestine. If there’s anyone these paintings are for, it’s the children.

If you’ll be in the Los Angeles area and are able to catch this show in person, you should. The opening reception will run from 6-9pm. It’s free, all ages, and J. Otto Seibold will be in attendance.

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Check out preview images for the exhibition below the following event details…

WHAT:

Famous Paintings
Solo Exhibition by J. Otto Seibold

WHEN:

Opening:
Saturday, April 19, 2025
6pm-9pm

WHERE:

KP PROJECTS
633 N. La Brea Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90036
(323) 933-4408

ADDITIONAL INFO:

Opening is ALL AGES w/NO COVER
Artist will be in attendance
Show on view until Saturday, May 17th, 2025
Gallery hours: Tues – Sat. noon – 6pm
Facebook event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/469844616082746/

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