Wanderlust Collective

Childhood Memories

and Cartoons

DEC 21/THE WANDERLUST COLLECTIVE/ART, ART FOCUS, BRUSSELS, INSPIRATION, TRAVEL

When I found this museum called Belgian Comic Strip Center in Brussels, I never thought I would come face to face with a childhood cartoon. I’m probably dating myself here, but this was one of my favorite cartoons growing up. I’m such a kid at heart that I even saw the film in 2011, The Smurfs, and fun fact, Peyo the creator was included in the plot as the researcher who studied the myths concerning the little blue people.

The artist is known as Peyo, but his name is Pierre Culliford. He studied at the Academy of Fine Arts in Brussels, and dropped out of art school at 17 to go into advertising. His teacher told him he had no future in the cartoon world. But, he proved that teacher wrong. Pierre is the mastermind behind the Smurfs, a popular cartoon series in th1980s. He was born in Brussels, Belgium in 1928. Pierre took the name Peyo from his cousin’s mispronunciation of Pierrot.

His promotion of the Smurfs started in 1959, with the PVC figurines as the most important part, until the late 1970s. After the success of The Smurfs records by Pierre Kartner, the Smurfs had more international success, with toys and gadgets. This reached the US and Hanna Barbara created the Saturday morning animated series in 1981, and Peyo worked as a story supervisor.

“It doesn't matter where you come from, it only matters who you choose to be.”'

Papa Smurf

Pierre Culliford died of a heart attack in 1992, he was 64 years old. His studio is still around, and new stories for series are produced under his name. He left behind a legacy that we still can enjoy today.

As I walked around the exhibition, I enjoyed the really cool Smurf house they built, and getting a glimpse into their tiny world. All of my childhood memories came rushing in. It was quite the inspiration. If you’re ever in Brussels, this is a must see!

If you’d like to see more of the places and things that inspired me from my trip you can check it out by clicking the button below!

A Pear in Brussels