PHILBROOK PRESENTS FIRST CAREER RETROSPECTIVE FOR TULSA ARTIST PATRICK GORDON
WALL FLOWERS: PATRICK GORDON PAINTINGS opens September 24, 2025
(TULSA, OK. August 18, 2025) — Shakespeare said it best; “A rose by any other name would smell as sweet.” The same can be said for Tulsa’s own Patrick Gordon. Art lovers may know him as Pat, Patrick, or P.S.—or the name may be new to you—but his brilliant, luminous paintings carry powerful impact and have been favorites in the Tulsa community for decades. This fall, Philbrook Museum of Art will present “Wall Flowers: Patrick Gordon Paintings” (Sept. 24, 2025–Jan. 3, 2026), the first- ever career retrospective for the beloved Tulsa artist.
Every picture tells a story. Patrick Gordon’s paintings explore ideas of identity and the notion that what we choose to surround ourselves with—a favorite flower, a special souvenir, or a carefully designed room—can say a lot about who we are.
Featuring over fifty paintings, the exhibition includes Gordon’s earliest experiments in watercolor as well as his recent huge, saturated florals. These hang alongside stirring, sensitive portraits and still lifes that highlight Gordon’s deep commitment to the Tulsa community.
“For this retrospective we wanted to highlight the variety and breadth of a career spanning more than fifty years.” said Philbrook curator Susan Green. “These works are some of his absolute favorites and speak to significant moments in his development as an artist.”
This exhibition is simply a new chapter in the ongoing story between Gordon and Philbrook which originated in the 1970s when he began as a teaching artist. In 1977 Philbrook hosted Gordon’s first museum exhibition, marking a pivotal moment in a burgeoning career.
“Supporting local artists isn’t just part of our mission, it is an opportunity to celebrate perspectives and stories that are uniquely Tulsan,” said Philbrook President & CEO Megan Whittaker Nesbit. “Few have shaped the rich culture of our community more generously or dedicatedly than Pat. What an honor it’s been to collaborate with him on this beautiful exhibition.”
A robust schedule of programming will support this exhibition with artist talks, a flower arranging workshop, curator tours, and a few surprises along the way. Gordon’s Maple Ridge home studio is a reflection of his vibrant personality and style. WALL FLOWERS will include a re-created portion of his working studio in the gallery. Not only will visitors be able to explore the creative space in which he works, Gordon will be regularly working in the exhibition, allowing visitors to glimpse the artist’s creative process.
About Philbrook Museum of Art
Philbrook Museum of Art is committed to being Tulsa’s most welcoming and engaging cultural institution, providing a unique trifecta of experiences: a historic home, world class art museum, 25 acres of gardens.
Philbrook Museum of Art opened on October 25, 1939. The addition of a 70,000 square foot wing in 1990 turned the historic home into a modern museum complex. A major garden renovation in 2004 cemented the Museum’s reputation as “the most beautiful place in Oklahoma.”
Through bold action and strategic investment, we create a space for new ideas, diverse stories and perspectives, and social connection. The Philbrook Collection features more than 16,000 objects with a focus on American, Native American, and European art. Serving over 160,000 visitors annually, Philbrook shines a light on Tulsa’s storied and complex past while building a diverse and creative vision of the city’s future
Media Contact:
Jeff Martin
Director of Communications
Philbrook Museum of Art
918.748.5352
jmartin@philbrook.org
