Tomi Ungerer
/ Books
Tomi Ungerer has sold over 16 million books worldwide and been translated into over 40 languages. His books provide a wonderful insight into his creative genius and diverse visual styles.
A lifelong lover of books, not only did Tomi make books, but he also devoured books by others - novels, biographies, encyclopaedias, dictionaries, books on all kinds of weird and wonderful subjects from anatomy to fashion to toys. As far as Tomi was concerned - books are the most democratic form of art and so there was nothing he loved more than working on a book project from concept all the way through to layout.
Tomi's books range from children's books such as The Three Robbers and Fog Island to illustrated memoirs documenting different chapters in his life such as A Childhood Under the Nazis and Far Out Isn't Far Enough about living off the land in Nova Scotia. From books of social satire such as The Party and Babylon to activist books such as Amnesty Animal and Schwarzbuch, Tomi used his artistic tools and talents to provoke, tickle and entertain.
There were times when a book cover such as that of The Three Robbers would have been considered outrageous - and for some it still is! For over 50 years Tomi has been fortunate to be published for over fifty years by Diogenes Verlag in German territories and École des Loisirs in France who have been happy to push the boundaries and take risks alongside Tomi.
Tomi and Daniel Keel
“My repertory of books diverges into many branches: books for children, autobiographical books, philosophical writings, satirical and erotic drawings.
I am perfectly trilingual. I love words and to give them a new life beyond spelling and grammar. My sources of inspiration are not only the human condition, but also nature, plants and animals which have always filled me with wonderment. It shows in the Liederbuch for example, which reveals my romantic side, as well as my love for landscapes, old buildings, and traditional crafts and traditions.
I would say that overall most of my work was driven by causes to fight for. Looking back at this mind-boggling diversity I have to face all the different identities (not split but united) that constitute myself. All haunted by death and sex which drive “la condition humaine.” It’s don’t hope, cope!”
– Tomi
