Ako Sugie | "Miffy Exhibition Celebrating 70th Anniversary of Birth"
The Miffy Exhibition, celebrating its 70th anniversary, showcases Dick Bruna's graphic design methods and the evolution of the picture books, attracting large crowds.Summary
The "Miffy Exhibition Celebrating 70th Anniversary of Birth," held at the Sogo Museum of Art from September 13 to November 4, 2025, was crowded with visitors of all ages. The author noted the surprising difference between Miffy's original 1955 appearance and her current refined form, concluding that refinement is key to becoming a long-seller. The exhibition primarily displays original drawings and sketches from all 32 Miffy picture books, while also exploring the life and production methods of creator Dick Bruna. A key takeaway was Bruna's use of graphic design techniques; he limited his palette to six specific colors (Bruna colors: red, yellow, green, blue, brown, gray, all with unique tints) and used original colored paper, cutting and pasting them to determine the color schemes for backgrounds, characters, and objects. This meticulous, manual process using limited colors resulted in the simple yet warm aesthetic of the books. Furthermore, the exhibition traced the evolution of the stories, which progressed from simple, relatable childhood events to addressing heavier themes like racial differences, physical differences among friends, and the death of a grandmother.
(Source：artscape)