Sunday Arts Magazine

22 Mar 2021

Miffy and Friends is heading to Melbourne

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Miffy and Friends is heading to Melbourne

First created by Dutch illustrator Dick Bruna (1927-2017) as a bedtime story for his son in 1955, the little white bunny, or ‘nijntje’ as she is known in Dutch, has evolved from her life as a children’s book character into a globally-recognised and universally loved design icon. Captivating children and adults alike for over 65 years, the figure of Miffy features in a major, free exhibition following the exhibition’s stellar launch at Brisbane’s QUT Art Museum late last year.

There’s great imagery as you can see attached, and I think it makes for a lovely feel-good conversation given its universal appeal on the whole idea of family, friends and relationships. There’s a lot to unpack around the history of Miffy and how it continues to cross cultures to this day through art, literature, and how the exhibition explores the character’s firm place within an Australian context.

The exhibition also places Miffy alongside the work of seven of Australia’s most exciting contemporary artists including Stephen Bird, Sadie Chandler, Nadia Hernández, Carla McRae, Nell, Brian Robinson, and Vipoo Srivilasa.

While deceptively simple, the character of Miffy is grounded in the ideas of 20th century avant-garde art, reflecting ideas of abstractionism and colour theory. With her pared back details and purity of line, Miffy embodies a universal language of minimalism.

miffy & friends shows at Bunjil Place Gallery from 27 March – 11 June: