 "Photo: Ken Muir")
Guest artist Amos Paul Kennedy Jr. from Gordo, Alabama visited Thursday to speak about his work in making posters with a printing press.
As a former math major, Kennedy worked as a professor at the University of Indiana before deciding to leave his job. Kennedy said he always been interested in old-fashioned printing and printing presses, which caused him to leave his job seven years ago in pursuit of another career all together.
“I thought it was very brave of him to quit something because he didn’t love it,” said Stephany Bradford, a freshman art major from Lubbock. “Even though he wouldn’t make more money at it, he took a risk and I definitely admire him for it.”
His love for printing caused his to eventually stop showing up for work, forcing Kennedy to change his lifestyle. He said in his lecture he quit working so he could focus on something that he loved doing. He doesn’t like referring to himself as an artist, but rather as a craft maker. He considers artists to have extremely large egos, but without an ego, artists will get crushed by the criticism and negativity directed towards them.
“Art should be bought by the common man,” Kennedy said.
In comparison to other printers’ posters, his work is sold for almost nothing. He sells each poster for $15 or two for $20, he said this is simply because the ATM only gives out $20 bills and people love a bargain. This bargain has caused Kennedy criticism and questioning as to why he doesn’t raise his prices to make more money. He said he won’t change them because he wants everyone to be able to enjoy them. He makes his art for the common man and by selling two posters for just $20, he is happy.
“Money is like fertilizer, it’s nothing unless you spread it around,” Kennedy said. “I’m dancing, I’m singing and having a good time, so why would I change?”
In times of graphic design and computers, the old printing presses have begun to die out, but artists like Kennedy not only try keeping this practice around but also use old technology to send a modern message. In his prints and posters, Kennedy incorporates music, its lyrics and other quotes to send a message to his audience. Southern soul and blues music inspires Kennedy, he said. He tries finding new ways to incorporate the different notes, pitches and sounds into his printing.
“I find it interesting that he uses an old traditional printing process to convey his opinions and social and political views,” said Donniece Smith, a graphic designer and lecture attendee from Lubbock. “As an artist, it’s interesting to hear how other artists work and what inspires them.”
Assistant professor Dirk Fowler, a letter press printer as well, wanted to bring in Kennedy because he believes this type of art is something students don’t typically get to see.
“There are still people that care about letter press printing, and we are keeping the tradition alive,” Fowler said. “Just because we have technology now, we can’t let something like this die. It is a craft form and an art, but the more aware of it people are, the less likely it is to go away.”
Kennedy’s posters will be on display Friday in the Contents Under Pressure exhibit prior to the First Friday Art Trail reception for the exhibit from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m at the Landmark Gallery at the School of Art.
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