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Educator resource for the exhibition J. Otto Seibold and Mr. Lunch, on view Nov 20, 2014–Mar 8, 2015 at The Contemporary Jewish Museum, San Francisco.

Enter the wacky and whimsical world of Mr. Lunch as you learn about an illustrator’s process, how artists get inspiration, and J. Otto Seibold’s unique visual style.

Who Is J. Otto Seibold?

J. Otto Seibold (b. 1960) is a self-taught artist who was born in Oakland, California, and grew up an apricots-throw away from the John Muir home in Martinez, CA. He was able to sneak into the art world during the “outsider artist” craze of the 1990s and is the first person to use digital software to create children’s books with Mr. Lunch Takes a Plane Ride (1993). Seibold has continued publishing for the past twenty years and is best known for the Mr. Lunch series, as well as Olive the Other Reindeer (Chronicle Books, 1997), and Vunce Upon a Time (Chronicle Books, 2008).

Also a widely exhibited artist, he has shown work in galleries and museums including Deitch Projects, New York; Paule Anglim, San Francisco; Grass Hut, Portland, OR; MASS MoCA, Adams, MA; and Creative Time’s 42nd Street Art Project. In 2000, Seibold had a solo museum exhibition at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts in San Francisco.

About J. Otto Seibold and mr. lunch

J. Otto Seibold and Mr. Lunch is based on three books by J. Otto Seibold and Vivian Walsh: Mr. Lunch Borrows a Canoe, Free Lunch, and Mr. Lunch Takes a Plane Ride. Mr. Lunch, a bird-chasing dog loosely inspired by Seibold’s own Jack Russell Terrier, is a well-intentioned character who often faces unintended consequences. In conjunction with the twentieth anniversary of the Mr. Lunch books, J. Otto Seibold and Mr. Lunch explores Mr. Lunch’s history and Seibold’s artistic process. Seibold, one of America’s most beloved and influential authors of children’s books, remains somewhat of a hidden treasure here in the Bay Area. Born and raised in the East Bay, where he still resides, his Mr. Lunch books (written with Vivian Walsh) are the first children’s books designed using computer software. Along with process pieces, like dummy books and original sketches, and original full- color artwork, the exhibition includes interactive areas for children designed by Seibold with new content relating to Mr. Lunch.

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supporters

J. Otto Seibold and Mr. Lunch is organized by The Contemporary Jewish Museum, San Francisco, and is based on three books by J. Otto Seibold and Vivian Walsh: Mr. Lunch Borrows a Canoe, Free Lunch, and Mr. Lunch Takes a Plane Ride. Supporting sponsorship is provided by the Mimi and Peter Haas Fund.

Additional support of this exhibition and education programs at The CJM is provided with thanks to proceeds from the Sixth Annual Family Gala: Mr. Lunch Throws a Party. Major sponsors include Anonymous, Yamileé Bermingham and Douglas Winthrop, the Felson Family, Sam Hamilton and Jen Chaiken and Donald and Carole Chaiken Foundation, Debbie and Scott Kay, Nellie and Max Levchin, Shana Nelson Middler and David Middler, Alison Gelb Pincus and Mark Pincus, Leesa and Martin Romo, Christine Russell and Mark Schlesinger, Roselyne Chroman Swig, and Wendy and Richard Yanowitch.

Major support for The Contemporary Jewish Museum’s exhibitions and Jewish Peoplehood Programs comes from the Koret Foundation.

School and Teacher Programs at The Contemporary Jewish Museum are made possible by Pacific Gas and Electric Company and Target. Leadership support comes from The Horace W. Goldsmith Foundationand The Hearst Foundations, with additional generous support from the Ezra Jack Keats Foundation and Ullendorff Memorial Foundation. 

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Image Credit

Header image: J. Otto Seibold, “Mr. Lunch awoke to the sound of voices” from Mr. Lunch Borrows a Canoe, n.d. Vector illustration, 21 1/2 x 17 3/8 x 1 1/2 in. J. Otto Seibold and Mr. Lunch. On view November 20, 2014–March 8, 2015. The Contemporary Jewish Museum, San Francisco.