O. Gail Poole Painting Added to State Art Collection
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
OKLAHOMA CITY - Members of the Governor-appointed Oklahoma Arts Council board have approved the addition of O. Gail Poole's painting "The First Immigrants (Mind of Man)" to the State Art Collection. A gift of Oklahoma City businessman Roy Oliver to the people of Oklahoma, Poole's 1993 surrealist painting of a man seemingly lost in his own thoughts offers a glimpse into one man's mind as he contemplates his place in space and time. Through an expressive use of texture and color, Poole's painting presents the viewer with a moment that is energetic and contemplative, suggesting that the subject may be considering his role as patriarch in a long line of forefathers.
With the addition of "The First Immigrants (Mind of Man)," the State Art Collection gains an example of an influential Oklahoma painter who embraced elements of surrealism. Donor Roy Oliver said, "O. Gail Poole was a very talented artist and a fine human being whose imagination and artistic ability is irreplaceable." Poole's daughter, teNicole Poole, said "Roy Oliver and the Oklahoma Arts Council have my deepest gratitude for placing dad's work in the State Art Collection. Dad was one of Oklahoma's most dedicated artists, and the knowledge that his legacy will continue to inspire the people of Oklahoma is a great honor for me and for my family."
About O. Gail Poole
O. Gail Poole from Norman spent more than 50 years as a professional artist in the Oklahoma arts community. His
works have been exhbited at Mainsite Contemporary in Norman; Philbrook Museum of Art in Tulsa; Taos Fine Art
Center in Taos, New Mexico; and the Oklahoma City Museum of Art among other museums and galleries. Hundreds
of his works have been acquired and are held in private collections.
Born in Marlow, Oklahoma, Poole often depicted the landscape and subtle attitudes of the untamed Southwestern plains, managing to transcend easy and traditional classification as an artist. In addition to opening a successful
advertising firm, Poole-Hobbes, Inc., Poole founded the Oklahoma City Art Director Guild and was a highly regarded
instructor. Following his death in April of 2013, the O. Gail Poole Memorial Travel Fund was established and administered by the Norman Arts Council to provide artists with assistance related to travel opportunities.
A retrospective exhibition of Poole's artwork, titled "As Yet Untamed," will take place from November 13 to January 3
at [Artspace] at Untitled in Oklahoma City.
About the State Art Collection
Established in 1971, the State Art Collection is a collection of works by notable Oklahoma artists. Works within the
collection reflect the history of artistic expression in Oklahoma and include ceramics, fiber art, painting, photography, sculpture, and works on paper. The collection is managed and cultivated by the Oklahoma Arts Council.
Select works from the State Art Collection are on display in the Betty Price Gallery located on the first floor of the
Oklahoma state Capitol. The gallery is free and open weekdays 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and weekends 9:00 a.m. to
4:00 p.m.
Visit arts.ok.gov to learn more about the artists and the works within the State Art Collection.
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The Oklahoma Arts Council is the official state agency for the support and development of the arts. The Council's mission is to lead, cultivate and support a thriving arts environment, which is essential to quality of life, education and economic vitality for all Oklahomans. The Council provides more than 500 grants to over 300 organizations in communities statewide each year, organizes professional development opportunities for the state's arts and cultural industry, and manages hundreds of works of art in the public spaces of the state Capitol.