The Cat Behind the Hat!

Coming to the Northern Beaches for the first time in 20 years!

Harvey Galleries Seaforth presents The Art of Dr. Seuss in an extraordinary exhibition returning to the Northern Beaches for the first time in 20 years. It was here in Seaforth, two decades ago, that the collection was first ever shown in Australia – making this homecoming a rare honour for us as the Australasian agents of The Art of Dr. Seuss. This landmark exhibition offers the opportunity to experience and personally acquire works from The Art of Dr. Seuss Collection – a fascinating archive that reveals the secret art and imaginative creations of the world’s most beloved children’s author alongside rare museum panels. From 11 to 22 October 2025, the exhibition will be staged inside Harvey Galleries Seaforth, providing an intimate and inspiring backdrop for this unique cultural event and exhibition.

For over 60 years, Dr. Seuss’s illustrations have brought a visual realization to his fantastic and imaginary worlds. His artistic talent went far beyond the printed page and yet, to this day, his Secret Art Collection is virtually unknown to the general public. Throughout his lifetime, Theodor Seuss Geisel (aka Dr. Seuss) created paintings and sculpture, which he secreted away at the Dr. Seuss Estate.

Harvey Galleries presents The Art of Dr. Seuss will share a compelling selection of artworks from The Art of Dr. Seuss Collection at their Seaforth Landmark Gallery. 11 – 22 October 2025. Visitors may explore and acquire works from Dr. Seuss’s best-known children’s books, as well as The Secret Art of Dr. Seuss, a mind-expanding collection based on decades of artwork, which Dr. Seuss created at night for his own personal pleasure. Perhaps the wackiest and most wonderful elements of the collection are Dr. Seuss’s three-dimensional “Unorthodox Taxidermy” sculptures with names such as Carbonic Walrus, Powerless Pufferfish, and Flaming Herring or Seasick Walrus, to name a few.

Additionally, Ted’s cat was never far from his artist thoughts. He drew himself as The Cat Behind the Hat, his cat was the protagonist in several of his Secret Art paintings and, as a fun aside, many of his early advertisements and cartoons had a “cat bystander” witnessing all the action. They hinted at his adventures across the world, his reclusive sensibility despite his fame, and his penchant for the childlike fantasy and humor, which infused nearly every facet of his life.

Despite the unprecedented demand during his lifetime, no limited edition artworks were ever conceived, authorized, or created until this historic project began in 1997, six years after Geisel’s death. That year, this exclusive project put into motion a series of artworks and exhibitions, which firmly established him as one of the most iconic artistic talents of the 20th century.

Each of these Estate-Authorized limited editions has been adapted and reproduced from Theodor Seuss Geisel’s original drawings, paintings, or sculptures. Additionally, each work bears a posthumously printed or engraved Dr. Seuss signature, identifying the work as an authorized limited edition commissioned by the Dr. Seuss Estate.

In her preface to the popular coffee table book on this collection, The Cat Behind the Hat, Audrey Geisel (Ted Geisel’s widow) writes, “I’m gratified to carry out Ted’s wishes and have these works revealed to the world.” Join us for a fascinating glimpse into the unique artistic vision of Theodor Seuss Geisel!

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