See ‘Chris Ware: Life Is Complicated’ in Columbus

The dozens of multicolored squares are both eye-catching and overwhelming. Slow down and take a closer look, though, and you’ll see that each panel is distinct: one depicts a snowflake; another a fragment of a city skyline; yet another a single human eye. Each consists of simple lines and solid colors that combine to create a vivid scene from everyday life. 

Cartoonist Chris Ware created the illustration, titled “Seen,” which is part of his career retrospective “Life is Complicated.” After three years of touring European museums, the exhibition makes it final and only United States appearance at the Billy Ireland Cartoon Library and Museum in Columbus from May 23 until Jan. 3, 2027. The immersive show features sketches, drawings, paintings and sculptures. 

The Nebraska-born artist has produced several acclaimed graphic novels, such as Building Stories and Jimmy Corrigan: Smartest Kid on Earth. He is perhaps best known, though, for his variety of graphically interesting covers for The New Yorker magazine. 

“When visitors arrive, they’re going to see this unbelievably immersive exhibit that was curated and designed head-to-tail by Chris himself,” says Caitlin McGurk, associate professor at Ohio State University and curator of comics and cartoon art at the Billy Ireland Cartoon Library and Museum. 

Catch a glimpse of  Ware’s creative process by way of original sketches and plans for some of the displayed pieces. These sketches, which resemble blueprints and diagrams, show how the artist’s final pieces are planned precisely and intentionally. Along with the collection of drawings and paintings, the exhibition features sculptures and other objects. Many are being presented for the first time, as they were deemed too fragile to ship overseas for the European exhibitions. 

“There is so much to absorb in in every single inch of every single page,” McGurk says. “To be able to be in this space with his artworks and with his characters is going to be a really effective experience for visitors.”  

1813 N. High St., Columbus 43210, 614/292-0538, cartoons.osu.edu