For the Love Of Letterpress: Amos Paul Kennedy Jr. At ATC
By Jen Hazen in Arts & Entertainment on May 28, 2009 7:30PM
There are many reasons why we love letterpress printer Amos Paul Kennedy Jr. First, he apparently doesn’t own a phone and would rather that you send him a letter. Second, he said goodbye to middle class life as a computer programmer to work in the lost crafts of letterpress printing and bookmaking—in the tiny town of Gordo, Alabama. Third, he recommends that you trust his expertise. According to the printmaker's web site, “Printing is what we do. You send the text and a check, and go home and pray."
Now we’re not luddites, but Kennedy’s passion for this imperfect, antiquated method is admirable in the age of all-pervasive vector art. And his work (which reminds us of the bold, colorful posters of Nashville’s Hatch Show Print) is timeless in both design and message whether he’s exploring issues of race, gender, or artistic expression.
When Kennedy’s not printing, he travels the country lecturing at universities and exhibiting his work. Lucky for us he’ll be at Around the Coyote’s Gallery at the Splat Flats on Saturday, June 13 for an artist talk in conjunction with the gallery’s exhibition, Quit Your Job and Become an Artist. The exhibit will showcase over 1,000 of Kennedy’s posters, along with the printmaker’s latest series which explores issues of motivation, economics, and the working life of an artist. Also on opening night, a screening of Brown Finch Film’s “Proceed and Be Bold!” which chronicles Kennedy’s life as a printer, will be shown. And we recommend that you RSVP since seating is limited.
And be sure not to miss Kennedy's Cash-and-Carry Poster Sale on Saturday, June 27 at ATC. His hand-printed posters are going for $15 each and he’ll even be there to sign them for you while musical duo The Manley Diehl plays the blues.
Around the Coyote’s Gallery at the Splat Flats, 1817 W. Division St.; Opening reception: Saturday, June 13, 7 p.m. - 10 p.m. $5 suggested donation. Film screening at 7 p.m., followed by an artist talk and Q&A at 8:30 p.m. RSVP recommended. For reservations contact: anne@aroundthecoyote.org. Exhibit continues through June 27, 2008. Closing Party / Cash-and-Carry Poster Sale on Saturday, June 27, 12 p.m. - 6 p.m. Free.