Last October, the United States Postal Service (USPS) announced its line of new stamps coming in 2023which includes several creations highlighting a wide range of artists, from pop artist Roy Lichtenstein to contemporary artists, including Di’Orr Greenwood (Diné) from Arizona, whose work is part of a series titled The art of skateboarding.
Born and raised in the Navajo Nation, Greenwood specializes in pyrography or making designs using fire and wood. The skateboard series includes his “turquoise-encrusted skateboard that features eagle feathers and colors of the rising or setting sun,” according to the USPS.
Artistic director Antonio Alcalá designed this issue, based on photographs of works by four artists, including crystal world (Tlingit/Athabascan), William James Taylor Jr.And MazPaz (aka Federico Frum).
“It would have been easier to go to one artist for all the skateboards,” said William Glicker, director of stamp services at the USPS in Washington, D.C., who spoke with Hyperallergic on the process of choosing stamp art. “We wanted to engage young artists and bring cultural diversity, so we went with different artists, and we were excited to see what they would come up with.”
For 2023, Alcalá has also designed “Lunar New Year – Year of the Rabbit” featuring a rabbit mask with original artwork by Camille Macher. He has also worked on other 2023 stamps, including “Piñatas!”, which incorporates original artwork by Victor Melendez.
The USPS has a pool of talented artists, but also keeps tabs on the contemporary art landscape. “Our art directors are always on the lookout for illustrators, designers, photographers, and artists across different publications,” Glicker explained.
Thousands of people submit themselves to the talent pool each year, while others simply suggest themes or people they would like to see on future stamps.
Rather than submitting a specific design or artwork as a stamp, artists who wish to be considered should send printed samples of their work, following specific requirements set out in the USPS Citizens’ Stamp Advisory Committeewhose members are appointed by the Postmaster General.
Glicker notes that several factors go into deciding what art is suitable for a postage stamp, whether it translates to a smaller scale or well represents the diversity of visual culture. The USPS looks across geographic regions to avoid being “bicoastal-centric” and considers the relevance of an artist’s work to the current zeitgeist. “We try to honor the best of our nation, as well as our culture and our talent,” he explained.
“On average, we give about three years from the time we start working on a stamp until it’s issued,” adds Glicker.
The fourth The art of skateboarding the stamps will be issued on March 24, when there will be a first day of issue and very dedicationt to the Phoenix Main Post Office.
People who want to experience Greenwood’s skateboard deck art in person can find his work in group shows at Heard Museum in Phoenix and the Pueblo Indian Cultural Center in Albuquerque.
