Political Postcards as a Political Art Form

 This January, I started on a 52 week project titled, Political Postcards as a Political Art Form. This project uses the simple postcard as the basis of the project, with handwritten messages that become more than just embellishment. The handwritten notes become a way of sharing my opinions and information that is important for a continquency representative to consider during the talk of Alberta separation from Canada. By writing the messages by hand, the act becomes somewhat of a way of reflection and medidation during a time of unrest.  Each week, I create (or use othe post cards designed by Canadian artists and designers) and mail a uniquely designed postcard to my MLA Grant Hunter and Premier Danielle Smith. Each postcard is designed and printed in Canada and carries a clear message advocating against the separation of Alberta from Canada. Because postcards travel openly through the postal system, every person who handles them becomes part of the artwork’s audience. This project transforms routine correspondence into a distributed public intervention, using repetition, materiality, and everyday communication to promote unity and encourage dialogue across the country.

My hope is this project might inspire others to write postcards and take action with this politicial art form. I have included links at the bottom of this post if you are interested in any of the postcards. 

Week One:

The postcard chosen for Week One is from gotamago:

The message: I am writing to you this week to tell you how much I love being a Canadian in Alberta. One of the reasons is that being in Canada gives us a large domestic market without tariffs. I love our interprovincial trade.

 

Week 2: 

I designed the postcard for week 2. What I wanted to write about was all the assistance for emergencies such as the wildfires in Jasper that comes from accross Canada and from other countries. 

The message: I am writing to you again to express to you and the UCP representatives in the Legislature how important it is for Alberta to remain in Canada. As the front of this postcard shares, Canada is full of many helping hands. The disaster relief and emergency response programs we have in Canada are integrated across the country and with various organizations to provide comprehensive emergency reponse and relief services. Being part of a larger picture is important to Alberta as these programs are continually modernised and improved. Just reflecting on the Jasper wildfires, over 200 firefighters and 2 helicopters were sent from Ontario. Also, because of Canada's relationship with other countries, Alberta received assistance from Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. 

Week 3: 

Week 3's postcard is from creepy canary press and is a "colour your own Canada" postcard. It was relaxing to colour and customize each postcard front.  

 The message: I am writing to you again to express to you and all the UCP representatives in the legislature how important it is for Alberta to remain in Canada. One of the many things I like about Alberta being in Canada is how it has access to global markets due to Canada's international trade agreements (like CusmA + CPTPP). 

Independence would require negotiating new agreements, creating uncertainty and economic losses. I have read online and in news articles how much global trade is currently uncertain, and any new agreements Alberta would have to make would take a ton of work, ie. taxpayers' money. On the issue of uncertainty, the pro-separation discourse is causing uncertainty in  our Alberta economy. As I write this postcard right now, I am certain some of my fellow Albertans are deciding to work elsewhere or to start businesses

Companies looking to invest in Alberta will invest less or not at all. Many companies will move out of Alberta. When the Quebec Separatist party began its discourse in the 1970's, in just 4 months, 91 companies headquarters left Quebec!! In conclusion, I ask that you clearly state to your contingency, whether you are pro-Canada or in support of the economy destroying separatism. 

Week 4: Celebrates candy hearts and love for Canada with a postcard from mo.go.po.mo. 

The message: I am writing this week about how much I value Alberta’s place in Canada. Alberta is such a beautiful and successful province, not in isolation, but as part of Canada.

As I prepare to choose between two graduate programs in the coming weeks, I have been reflecting on the opportunities that exist here because of Canada’s commitment to building and supporting Alberta’s post-secondary system.

Canada is the most educated country in the world. This is something to be extremely proud of. Education significantly enhances well-being and improves a person's standard of living, leading to career advancement and social equity.

Canada and Alberta’s success depends on an integrated post-secondary education and research capacity. Alberta’s capacity has been supported by federal investment. These institutions educate Albertans who fuel the labour market and drive investment and innovation across industries, such as energy, agriculture, medicine, technology and more.

As I begin my graduate studies and prepare to undertake research, I am grateful for the federal research funding from agencies such as the NSERC, CIHR and SSHRC to Alberta’s post-secondary system. This funding doesn’t just stay on campus. It filters into local economies and communities when talent creates inventions, leads to start-ups, specialised equipment purchases, and community partnerships.  

As I look at Alberta’s current funding for our primary and secondary schools, the conclusion from both the Fraser Institute and the ATA is that Alberta spends the least, per student, on public schools of any province. I worry about the feasibility of replacing federal support that bolsters our post-secondary system if Alberta moves towards separation.  If our K-12 system is already underfunded, how could Alberta create a well funded, credible, stable and research funding ecosystem that is currently enjoyed by Canada’s integrated post-secondary system? Would Alberta’s innovation, research output, and economic competitiveness fall behind other provinces that remain connected to a national system? These are serious considerations. Alberta has always thrived in partnership with Canada. Our future success, prosperity and talent depend on this continued relationship with Canada. 

My hope is that this project might inspire others to write postcards and take action with this political art form. I have postcards available on mo.go.po.mo - I Love Canada Postcard | mo.go.po.mo

Or sign up for a creepy canary mail club to receive a collection of postcards and other printables through the creepy canary Patreon - creepy canary mail club | Patreon