August 9th, 5-8pm and August 10th, 1-5pm
Tulsa will pay tribute to the controversial yet influential artist, Tom Pershall, with a two-day memorial exhibition and auction. The event will take place at the Gallery at Liggett Studios on August 9th and 10th. Pershall served as TAC president for three terms and Gallery Director from 1999 to 2002.
Pershall, a Tulsa native known for his bold and often provocative public art installations, left an undeniable mark on the city’s artistic landscape. His works, such as the iconic “UrbanWrapped” and “UrbanBound” telephone pole sculptures, and the hay bale installation “Urbanblustem,” sparked both admiration and controversy
Despite his challenging personality and elitist tendencies, Pershall possessed a unique vision for his art. He saw his work as a form of social and political commentary, using simple, repetitive objects to provoke thought and discussion. His minimalist approach and conceptual focus were ahead of their time in Tulsa.
“When you repeat an object, it intensifies the object, it strengthens the image,” Pershall once said. His goal was to challenge viewers’ perceptions and create a dialogue about the world around them.
The upcoming exhibition will feature a wide range of Pershall’s work, including photographs, sculptures, drawings, and paintings. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the creation of permanent signage for his public sculptures, a long-overdue recognition of his contributions to the city.
The exhibition is an opportunity to celebrate Pershall’s legacy and to re-examine his impact on Tulsa’s art scene.
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