Illustrators Ireland with their partners, Alliance Française, Ambassade de France, Bike Week Cork, and the Laneway Gallery are delighted to present In Memory of the Future, an exhibition in celebration of renowned illustrator, Tomi Ungerer. Over 50 artists will participate by sharing their interpretations of Ungerer’s work and responses to his influence.

Illustrators Ireland is a non-profit organisation that supports the development of Illustration in Ireland by showcasing the work of our members and fostering links with similar organisations at home and abroad. As a professional organisation we aim to raise the profile of Irish illustration as a dynamic and cutting edge art form, as well as promoting the work and skills of our individual members.

Illustrators Ireland Website

TOMI UNGERER was an internationally recognised, admired and well-loved illustrator. Ungerer spent much of his life as a young man trying to find a place to settle, having been uprooted first by World War II, then by prejudice, and finally by boredom. In the end, we were lucky and Ungerer settled in Cork in Ireland.

In 2018 Ungerer was welcomed as the first honorary member of Illustrators Ireland - a gesture that was partially tongue-in-cheek - but Ungerer accepted his crown with grace, humility and great enthusiasm.

Unfortunately, Ungerer passed away before we, Illustrators Ireland, had a chance to organise an event with him. Our aim with this exhibition is to commemorate Ungerer, his work and how he influenced so many of our members both in Ireland and abroad.

Each illustrator has chosen a work by Ungerer and offered their response to it, or their interpretation of it. Ungerer enjoyed wordplay and the title of the exhibition was chosen as it was a favourite phrase of his. Tomi Ungerer might be the 'memory' but we are the 'future'.

Perhaps it was his upbringing that led Ungerer to protest the Vietnam War in the US, become involved in Amnesty International, work for Nuclear Disarmament, and support European Integration.

Perhaps this same upbringing informed Ungerer's choices to create characters that were not traditionally appealing, characters that might be harsh or brash, but usually had some redeeming quality.

It was certainly his talent and creative drive that lead to his stellar career. Ungerer published more than 140 books in 28 languages. He was awarded the Hans Christian Andersen Medal for Illustration in

1998. He was a Goodwill Ambassador for Childhood Education for the Council of Europe, a commander in the French Legion of Honor, and has his own museum in Strausbourg. And of course, in 2018 he was awarded honorary membership to Illustrators Ireland.

Tomi Ungerer died peacefully at home in 2019.