Stuck in a cubicle? Blame George Nelson, who is considered the father of the modern workstation.

Better yet, celebrate George Nelson. Starting Thursday, his work is the subject of a major exhibition at Oklahoma City Museum of Art, running through May 8.

“He is one of the most important 20th-century designers,” said Jennifer Klos, curator of record. “This is as much about American history as it is the history of design or history of technology.”

As design director at furniture manufacturer Herman Miller, Nelson crafted pieces that at once reflected and shaped the mid-century modern style of postwar America homes and offices. More than 120 of such objects are on display alongside approximately 50 other items, including four films on the icon, who passed away in 1986.

“He wanted people to have pieces that contributed to their home and made their lives easier. George Nelson cared about the domestic interior and how you used it,” Klos said. “Since he was an architect, he not only understood the structure of a home, but cared more about the theory of how people live, how they use objects, the societal ideas of the period.”

She
said the “one-of-a-kind” exhibition delves into every aspect of
Nelson’s career, from journalism and photography to creating the poster
and main titles for the 1961 Clark Gable/ Marilyn Monroe film “The
Misfits.”

The focus, however, is furniture.

Hovering
somewhere between spaceage and Pop Art, his designs took advantage of
materials newly available in the postwar era, creating works that became
literal conversation pieces. Klos said it’s a testament to his genius
that several remain in production today.

One
such example is 1956’s famous “Marshmallow Sofa” — undeniably colorful,
surprisingly comfy — with each of its 18 circles handcrafted.

“I
always want to call it a ‘fun, renegade object’ with all the shapes he
saw,” Klos said. “He saw value in creating seating for the home that was
unique, versatile and could be seen from all sides.”

Noting
that the sofa purposely hides nothing, she said, “What you see is what
you get. That honesty is what George Nelson was after.”

In
addition to the exhibition’s pieces, several on loan from local Herman
Miller dealer Workplace Resource adorn the museum’s lobby areas. From
1952’s innovative “Bubble Lamp” to 1946’s landmark “Platform Bench,”
these allow visitors to experience Nelson’s work with more than just
their eyes.

“He
very much thought about function, but was always in tune with
aesthetics,” Klos said. “He believed everybody deserved good design.”

top Nelson’s “Marshmallow Sofa” debuted in 1956. bottom From
1952 to 1957, Nelson designed a modular, prefabricated “Experimental
House.” Its 12-square-foot aluminum cubes could be connected and
configured in endless combinations for a lowcost, easily movable
residence.