Mail art facts for kids

Mail art by György Galántai, 1981

Mail art is a fun and creative way to make and share art! It's also known as postal art or correspondence art. It means sending small artworks through the regular mail. Think of it like sending a special, handmade message to someone far away.

Artists use all sorts of things for mail art. This can include postcards, special paper, rubber stamps, and even small logos. Basically, anything that fits into an envelope and can be sent by the postal service can become mail art. The main idea is to connect with other artists and friends around the world by sending unique art pieces.

What is Mail Art?

Mail art is a special kind of art that uses the postal system as its gallery. Instead of showing art in museums or galleries, artists send their creations directly to each other. It's a way to share ideas and build friendships across different countries.

One of the coolest things about mail art is that there are no strict rules. You don't need to be a famous artist to participate. Anyone can create mail art and send it. This makes it a very open and welcoming art form for everyone.

A Brief History of Mail Art

Mail art really took off in the 1960s. An American artist named Ray Johnson is often called the "father" of mail art. He started something called the "New York Correspondence School." He would send out strange and interesting letters, drawings, and collages to his friends and other artists.

Soon, artists all over the world started doing the same thing. They loved the idea of sharing art freely, without needing galleries or art critics. It became a way for artists to connect and create a global network. This network grew through the mail, with artists sending their works back and forth.

How Mail Art Works

The process of mail art is quite simple. An artist creates a small piece of art. This could be a decorated envelope, a handmade postcard, a collage, or even a tiny sculpture. Then, they put a stamp on it and send it through the mail.

The art is usually sent to another mail artist or someone who enjoys receiving unique mail. There are no juries to decide if the art is "good enough." There are no fees to enter a show. And the art is usually not returned. The main goal is the act of sending and receiving, and the connection it creates.

What Can You Use?

Mail art can be made from almost anything! Here are some common materials and ideas:

• Postcards: You can draw, paint, or collage on a blank postcard.
• Envelopes: Decorate the outside of an envelope with drawings, stamps, or stickers.
• Rubber Stamps: Many mail artists create their own unique rubber stamps to print designs.
• Collage: Cut out pictures from magazines or newspapers and glue them together.
• Handmade Paper: Create your own paper and then draw or write on it.
• Artistamps: These are like fake postage stamps that artists design themselves.

The only limit is your imagination and what the postal service will allow!

Why Artists Love Mail Art

Artists enjoy mail art for many reasons:

• Freedom: There are no rules or judges, so artists can be completely free in their creations.
• Community: It helps artists connect with others around the world and build friendships.
• Accessibility: It's often very cheap to make and send, so anyone can participate.
• Sharing Ideas: It's a great way to share artistic ideas and messages without needing a gallery.
• Surprise: Receiving a unique piece of art in your mailbox is always a fun surprise!

Mail art is a wonderful example of how art can be shared and enjoyed by everyone, simply by using the everyday postal system.

Related pages

• Contemporary art
• Mail

Images for kids

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  Ray Johnson's invitation to the first mail art show, 1970

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  Mail art stamp and envelope with official Colt Anniversary postmark – Chuck Welch, a.k.a. Cracker Jack Kid, 1984

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  American mail-artist David Horvitz (active since the 2000s) meets Brazilian mail artist Paulo Bruscky (active since the 1970s) in Berlin, Germany in November 2015.

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  BananaPost '89 artistamps by Anna Banana, 1989

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  Mail art envelope from H.R. Fricker, 1990

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  Sheet of artistamps by Piermario Ciani, c. 1995

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  Mail art rubber stamps by Jo Klafki (left) and Mark Pawson (right), 1980s

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  Carved eraser print by Paul Jackson, a.k.a. Art Nahpro, c. 1990

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  Cover of Kairan mail art zine, edited by Gianni Simone, a.k.a. Johnnyboy, 2007

See also

In Spanish: Arte postal para niños