Oklahoma State University Museum of Art presents ‘Leon Polk Smith: Affinities in Art & Design’

Monday, August 28, 2023

Media Contact: Casey Ihde | OSU Museum of Art Marketing and Communications | 405-744-2783 | casey.pankey@okstate.edu

The Oklahoma State University Museum of Art announces, “Leon Polk Smith: Affinities in Art & Design,” on view through Jan. 27, 2024. This captivating exhibition explores the surprising relationships between the art of Leon Polk Smith (1906-1996) and 20th century industrial design.

The exhibition showcases a selection of works on paper drawn from the museum’s collection from the Leon Polk Smith Foundation, as well as the George R. Kravis II collection of fine art and industrial design. Loans of Smith’s large-scale paintings from The Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art, Oklahoma City Museum of Art and the Heard Museum, Phoenix, complete the exhibition to provide a comprehensive survey of Smith's artistic journey.

The exhibition features art by “a remarkable homegrown artist and from homegrown collections,” said Arlette Klaric, exhibition curator.

“Only recently has this Oklahoma native begun to gain national recognition as a pioneer in the mid-century art movement of Hard Edge painting,” Klaric said. “This exhibition seeks to expand public appreciation of his abstract style by looking at it through the lenses of industrial design and daily life at the time.”

Looking at contemporary art can be intimidating, especially if seen without context.

“With this exhibition, our goal is to make Leon Polk Smith accessible to the everyday visitor,” Klaric said. “First, through his personal story, told through sound recordings. And second, through ties to industrial design, society and culture that offer a readymade platform of familiar everyday objects and major historic developments experienced as personal events.”

Five engaging themes — “Stripping Down,” “Nature Revisited,” “Color Explosions,” “Pop Vibes” and “Paper Revolutions” — guide visitors in looking at Smith’s abstract artistic style, offering pathways for deeper understanding.

"Our mission is to provide viewers with a unique and enriching experience,” said Vicky Berry, director of the OSUMA. “By presenting these two collections side by side, we offer a captivating context that illuminates the complexity of this art form. We believe it will be a unique opportunity for our visitors and hope to raise awareness about Smith’s extraordinary contributions to the art world.”

“Leon Polk Smith: Affinities in Art & Design” is on view Aug. 1, 2023, to Jan. 27, 2024, at the OSU Museum of Art in downtown Stillwater. A reception will be held from 5–7 p.m. on Sept. 12, 2023, offering attendees a chance to celebrate and engage with the artwork. Light refreshments will be provided, creating an enjoyable atmosphere for all. Learn more at https://museum.okstate.edu/art/leon-polk-smith.html.