Postcard show brings parts of the world to Oklahoma

John Brandenburg
·2 min read
The "Postcard Perspectives" exhibit featuring 700 5-by-7-inch postcard art works opened recently at Artspace at Untitled, 1 NE 3.
The "Postcard Perspectives" exhibit featuring 700 5-by-7-inch postcard art works opened recently at Artspace at Untitled, 1 NE 3.

In a time when so-called "snail mail" tends to be dismissed, there is something refreshing about a show of postcards from all over the world.

The "Postcard Perspectives" exhibit of 700 5-by-7-inch postcard art works opened recently at Artspace at Untitled, 1 NE 3.

Helping orient us is a picture of a circle that resembles a sun-like or moon-like orb, containing artist names and shadowy, continent-like shapes. Just beyond is a world map, with red strings attached to continents by thumbtacks, surrounded by envelopes used to return artists' work.

Spread out in rows, side by side, over six large walls, the some 700 cards, can seem daunting, but reward closer inspection. Styles and content vary greatly, from realistic to abstract or semi-abstract, with many artists using rich colors, and others only black and white.

A world map with strings attached to continents by thumbtacks is surrounded by envelopes used to return artists' work at the "Postcard Perspectives" exhibit.
A world map with strings attached to continents by thumbtacks is surrounded by envelopes used to return artists' work at the "Postcard Perspectives" exhibit.

One Oklahoma-centered work portrays a Native American warrior with a spear, similar to the one on the dome of the state capitol. On the other hand, a "bottle of dreams," filled with stars and planets, may be drifting across the ocean to an unknown shore.

Another artist juxtaposes a big city skyscraper, perhaps the Empire State Building, with a mosque-like structure, perhaps the Taj Majal.

Gayla Hollis, one of the artists who signs her work, directs our attention to jazzy, colorful bison, in front of jazzy backgrounds.

Sophia Daniel offers a starkly simplified tribute to the Twin Towers destroyed on 9/11, and another artist celebrates the long wait of two men to be legally married.

Other artists celebrate their own favorite things, such as one who likes "double dare" cliff diving, and another who thinks "Nobody Can Stop Robocop."

More cautionary is the artist who warns us to "Beware of The... something," but in big black letters going beyond the edge of the postcard. More lyrical is an artist's portrayal of a beautiful blossom, under a Sigmund Freud quote saying that "Flowers Have neither conflicts nor emotions."

All art from the show is for sale, for prices ranging from $10-$20, to $100 for selected, wall-framed works.

The postcard exhibit remains on view through Dec. 31 at Untitled, during gallery hours from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturday. Admission is free and masks and social distancing are encouraged. Call 405-815-9995, or go to http://protect-us.mimecast.com/s/WinACmZ0DQf1jZZOWhGxCfm?domain=1ne3.org for information.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Postcard show brings parts of the world to Oklahoma