Art History Lecture Series at The Hilbert Museum

Mary Platt: “The Magic and Flair of Mary Blair”

Hilbert Museum director Mary Platt takes the audience on a visual tour of whimsy and wonder as she talks about the life and work of famed Disney artist Mary Blair. Platt curated the current Hilbert exhibition “Mary Blair’s Wonderland: Imagining Disney’s Alice” – so there will be a focus on that beloved feature film, plus Blair’s work on “Cinderella,” “Peter Pan,” “Saludos Amigos,” “The Little House,” the enduring theme park ride It’s a Small World, and other Disney favorites.

Blair’s use of bold colors and simplified shapes created a visually striking and modern interpretation of Lewis Carroll’s classic tale. Her whimsical, surreal design choices, exemplified in her curious landscapes and fantastical characters, added a playful, dreamlike quality to her concept art for the animated film. Mary Blair’s artistic imprint on Disney’s “Alice in Wonderland” and her other Disney works remain a testament to her ability to elevate storytelling through her unique style of visual enchantment. As exemplified in the Hilbert exhibition, her innovative approach to color and form not only left an indelible mark on the animated films, but also solidified her legacy as a pioneering force in animation concept art within the Disney canon.

The recent book “Disney Masterpieces from the Hilbert Collection,” written by Mary Platt, will be on sale at the lecture, and she will be happy to sign your copy.