"This Is Not a Pipe" by David Stafford (Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA)

[De Villo Sloan]

Mail art by IUOMA member David Stafford (Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA)

November 25, 2015 - I cannot locate a signature, but I am willing to bet the ranch this gorgeous work is by none other than the great David Stafford. This is a large, postcard-size work. I am sure you will agree this is a FAB image. a feast for the eyes.

However, I believe the power of the image stands in an inverse ratio to the muddiness of the message. This issue is only raised because, as contemporary mail art’s premier satirist, David Stafford’s intentions are usually as clear as his aim is precise. He is not a member of the South African School of Subtle Aesthetic Obscurity. In short, I am not sure about what the piece is saying. (That really does not matter.)

Really, I should just enjoy the imagery and let the work “be.” Perhaps this is meant to be an addition to the our Post-Pop dialog. Yet, as the wording suggests, could David Stafford’s irony ever be at ease with PopArt blankness?

The tooth? You can’t handle the tooth! (as we have said before). Thanks to David Stafford. And, please, keep ’em coming!

[De Villo Sloan]

What he said

[David Stafford]

Okay, I can clear this up. If you go to my website (doesn’t that sound like a come on?) (But, in fact, it isn’t, in this instance) (But what if it was?) Anyway, if you go here:  You’ll see the first layer of the composition, click on the left arrow and you’ll see the next layer and once more will take you to the collage. So it was pretty simple. In terms of meaning, I would say that was secondary to the desire to produce an image that reminded me of the amazing Stenberg Brothers work. I don’t think I succeeded but it was fun to try with available parts. I guess what struck me was how much the Drano woman looked like a Stenberg illustration. Thanks DVS for the blog and your kind words. I've posted this three places already. And yes, it's truth I can't handle the tooth.