The Cincinnati Art Museum has announced its first full-scale scholarly exhibition of works by Cincinnati-based artist Charley Harper, titled "The Art of Charley Harper: Creatures Wild and Tame." The exhibition will run from October 16, 2026, through March 7, 2027, featuring around 150 works, including ten large paintings commissioned by the U.S. National Park Service that were only briefly displayed in Washington, D.C., in the 1990s. The show is presented in partnership with the Charley Harper Art Studio and marks the artist's first museum retrospective.
This exhibition matters because it provides a comprehensive look at Harper's career, highlighting his distinctive style that blends graphic design with environmental storytelling. Harper, who died in 2007, was known for his bold colors, geometric forms, and clean lines, and for eschewing realism in wildlife art. The retrospective offers fresh insight into his joyful artistry and his role as an advocate for nature, underscoring his enduring influence on American illustration and conservation art.