Pokémon and Van Gogh Museum team up for gallery, activations and merchandise

The Van Gogh Museum and Pokémon are teaming up on mash-up gallery, themed activations and a merchandise range.

The partnership – celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Van Gogh Museum – takes place at the museum until January 7th and includes a gallery of Van Gogh pieces reimagined with a Pokémon twist. This includes Pikachu shown in a work inspired by Self-portrait with Grey Felt Hat and Snorlax and Munchlax in a work inspired by The Bedroom.

The Van Gogh Museum Shop – inside the museum and online – and The Pokémon Centre online store will also feature an exclusive range of Pokémon x Van Gogh Museum merchandise featuring the art of the collaboration.

Elsewhere, young visitors at the Museum will also have access to a ‘How to draw Pikachu’ video and Pokémon activity sheets. Once participants complete the activity, they can hand in their completed leaflet for a special Pikachu x Van Gogh Museum promo card.

The collaboration will also be used to teach visitors about the connection between Van Gogh and Japan, and about how inspiration can go in two directions.

“This collaboration will allow the next generation to get to know Vincent van Gogh’s art and life story in a refreshing way,” said Emilie Gordenker, General Director of the Van Gogh Museum.

“The Van Gogh Museum and The Pokémon Company have drawn on many years of educational expertise to create a special experience for children, their supervisors, and we hope many others at the Van Gogh Museum.”

Mathieu Galante, Director of Licensing at The Pokémon Company International, added: “We are always looking for fantastic partners that we can create unique and joyful experiences with for Pokémon fans, and we have genuinely found that in working with the Van Gogh Museum.

“There is a strong link between the inspiration behind Pokémon and the inspiration behind some of Vincent van Gogh’s most famous work. With this collaboration we really hope that we can see children discovering and immersing themselves into the world of art through the incredible works of Van Gogh and Pokémon.”