Tulsa Treasures: Private Collections in Public
The original Philbrook exhibition Tulsa Treasures: Private Collections in Public examines the practice of collecting through the eyes and objects of our friends and neighbors. It demystifies the art of collecting by unveiling some of the most fascinating privately owned objects from across our community, from traditional paintings, furniture, and decorative arts, to children’s book illustrations, oversized animal carvings, historic toys, and music ephemera.
The exhibition explores the larger question of why people collect and offers inside views into the deeply personal and creative practice of collecting. While the objects on view are vastly different and have different meanings for each collector, the motivations behind collecting are surprisingly universal and have informed the structure of the exhibition, described below.
votives) and metal on wooden door frame, 96 x 32”. Private
collection, Tulsa, Oklahoma.
By exploring a depth of personal tastes and approaches of over twenty Tulsa-area collectors, Tulsa Treasures makes clear that there are no right or wrong approaches to collecting.
THE SECTIONS:
PRESERVING THE PAST: Whether it is the craftsmanship, beauty, value, or regional histories associated with Art Deco collectibles, eighteenth-century furniture, Impressionist painting, or archives from various cultural institutions like the Bob Dylan Center or Cain’s Ballroom, historic relics help to preserve cultural legacies and allow us to physically connect with our past.
SUPPORTING ARTISTS (LOOKING FORWARD): Supporting artistic production is a primary motivator for many collectors, who play a vital role in sustaining — and growing — any community’s cultural ecosystem. The art on display in this section underline the importance of supporting artists and will range greatly from photorealist painting and fiber arts production, to conceptual art in a variety of media by both locally recognized and internationally acclaimed artists.
CURATING A HOME: This immersive section will offer visitors a rare opportunity to peer, vicariously, inside the homes of area collectors who curate their collections with unique approaches to display and design.
PASSION PROJECT: This section reveals how the objects we collect (sometimes obsessively) help to define who we are. Whether it’s tiny ceramic dogs, vintage comic books, designer sneakers, or tin hearts, these objects can offer visual, emotional, or intellectual respite from the mundane or offer humor, comfort, or insight into other times, places, or social issues.
Tulsa Treasures: Private Collections in Public will run from March 15 — May 24, 2020.
