Chuck Sperry

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April 28, 2022 By squirt

“Color x Color” Chuck Sperry Retrospective at Fort Wayne Museum of Art until July

Fort Wayne Museum of Art is currently hosting my retrospective exhibition of art, “Color x Color, Selections from the Chuck Sperry Archive.” The exhibition remains on view from April 23 to July 10, 2022.

This is a collection of almost every poster Sperry has made. It was laborious work for him to make these posters over the decades, then he dug back into it all again for the purpose of putting together this show, and he did not half-ass it, as you will see. He dug deep. The level of his commitment to his art permeates  into everything he does, of which this exhibition is evidence.

Sperry’s art is monumental; his influences are rooted in the classics, from Alphonse Mucha to ancient Greco Roman art. He is a visionary in his field, not only in his art, but how he makes it. His understanding of his medium, screenprinting, and in the color theories expressed in his use of pairing and layering ink, is awe-inspiring and intimidating in the same glance. 

The Fort Wayne Museum of Art has seen and recognized the importance of Sperry’s work and the need to preserve it for future generations. Almost all the work in this exhibition is now a part of the Fort Wayne Museum of Art’s Chuck Sperry Archive. It will be housed in our permanent collection and cared for in perpetuity. This is a promise we do not take lightly; it takes considerable resources for a museum to steward an archive. As you will see, it is well worth it. 

— Josef Zimmerman, Curator of Contemporary Art at the Fort Wayne Museum of Art 

Photos: Shaun Roberts

The criteria for defining something as fine art is both selective and subjective, guided by academic bias, market forces, and the coded conceits of class. Value is rarely a matter of aesthetics alone. The broader field of visual culture, which is often more inclusive, populist and democratic than traditional art forms, allows something the art world often overlooks: relevance. This is not to diminish the importance of contemporary art, but to admit that it’s somewhat insular and rarified language not only speaks to a specialized few, but simply misses out on a lot of really great art. This brings us to the art of Chuck Sperry, and the terms by which we may learn to appreciate its value beyond the fetish of fandom. 

If culture is conditioned, something inherited like a received knowledge, we may as well admit that we all suffer from a kind of myopia, especially when it comes to art. But if we suffer from a complete lack of knowledge or understanding when it comes to something — be it ancient pottery, 10th Century Kufic calligraphy, or second generation abstract expressionism — we might still have some level of visual appreciation for it regardless of our ignorance. This is true about the rock posters of Chuck Sperry. The information contained within a Chuck Sperry print — most obviously the band, venue, and date, but also less evidently what that music means to people — can surely amplify our experience of these pictures among fans and music lovers. ,But, as someone who often enjoys his art significantly more than some of the bands he’s “working for,” there’s no denying his creativity, craft and vision in the artwork itself.

I, like many, have taken multiple chances on records just because the album cover art was just fantastic — and even kept a few for the art even when the music was bad. It would be nice to think that the pictorial appeal of Sperry’s seductive, subversive and saturate graphics might compel a few to check out the music. The point, however, is that it is hardly necessary to do so. Whereas a lot of art leaves people cold because they do not have the knowledge, often esoteric or obscure, to understand it, the art world typically shuns the likes of Chuck Sperry precisely because they have an inherent problem with how easy it is to understand. Value it seems, at least since the advent of Modernism and arguably even more so in our Post-Modern age, is invested in a degree of nuance and difficulty. 

There remains an abiding suspicion of those like Sperry whose art is appealing to the masses. We can’t hope to change this prejudice, and as one who works in the art world, I’ll admit a certain fondness for it, but Sperry’s instinct to reach and relate to people is not to be confused as a sort of pandering, for in fact it is rather more of an ideology. 

Sperry believes in art for the people. Though it is far easier to discern this concern in his overtly political art, time may certainly award some comprehension of how even the wild eye-candy of his concert posters also occupies a position of cultural resistance — once history gets past the play list of his clients. The very nature of what makes this art so misfit to the art historical cannon is what situates its opposition. Context rather than content, or more simply put, Sperry’s choice of medium and audience rather than his imagery, is fundamental in relaying his cultural politics. The art market, which is sadly the metric by which art is increasingly judged, is an economic system that rewards scarcity and uniqueness over serial production. This, too, functions as self-selecting determiner of audience. If you have to ask how much that painting is you’re not in the conversation.

By consciously choosing media such as printmaking as a populist vernacular and purportedly commercial practice, Chuck Sperry not only joins a tradition that extends from the likes of Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec and Alphonse Mucha through the golden age of 1960s psychedelic rock posters, the rise of street art multiples and beyond, he proposes a kind of art that is affordable and available. A master at silkscreen and graphic design, a prolific purveyor of pictorial provocations, and a soulful trickster of impeccable integrity, Chuck Sperry is quite simply a fine artist who has chosen to make work for the masses. 

— Carlo McCormick 

Carlo McCormick is an American culture critic and curator living in New York City. He is the author of numerous books, monographs and catalogues on contemporary art and artists. McCormick lectures and teaches extensively at universities and colleges around the United States on popular culture and art. His writing has appeared in Effects : Magazine for New Art Theory, Aperture, Art in America, Art News, Artforum, Camera Austria, High Times, Spin, Tokion, Vice and other magazines. McCormick was Senior Editor of Paper. 

Filed Under: News Tagged With: Carlo McCormick, Chuck Sperry, Color X Color, Color x Color: Selections from the Chuck Sperry Archive, Fort Wayne Museum of Art, Josef Zimmerman

April 1, 2022 By squirt

Long Awaited Sperry Retrospective Exhibition at Fort Wayne Museum of Art Weeks Away!

It’s almost here, the museum exhibition for which we’ve waited two years, is just weeks away! I would like to express my gratitude to my supporters for patiently waiting and keeping the flame alive for this big event! Beautiful new art prints will be available to acquire in regular editions, my museum catalog “Color x Color”, my new hand-woven tapestry “Terpsichore”, exceptional events, and surprises! I can’t wait to see you in Fort Wayne!

Color X Color:
Selections from the Chuck Sperry Archive
April 23– July 10, 2022
Fort Wayne Museum of Art, Fort Wayne, Indiana

Opening events on April 22-24, 2022.

Chuck Sperry’s illustrious rock poster career has spanned over twenty-five years with no signs of stopping. During that time Sperry has printed thousands of posters for hundreds of bands. He was travelled the world displaying his poster in dive bars to galleries in Europe, New York, and California. Now Sperry’s hard work has brought him to museums.

Fort Wayne Museum of Art is the future home of Sperry’s Archive and we look forward to showcasing 150+ works of Sperry’s.

Archive collected and curated by Josef Zimmerman

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UPDATE: All prints to be released will be REGULAR EDITION at the “Color x Color” opening at the Fort Wayne Museum of Art. Every ticket holder will get the same opportunity for all the prints released.
All ticket holders will have the opportunity to get all regular edition prints offered.
No lottery will be necessary. 
Pardon me, out of excitement, I misspoke and teased the variant editions to the art prints offered at FWMOA. 
The variants I mistakenly teased for the opening – will be released through www.chucksperry.net at a future date (after the museum opening) TBA. Stay Tuned!

“Color x Color: The Sperry Poster Archive” are being held in reserve for the rescheduled exhibition.

Events for “Color x Color: Selections from the Chuck Sperry Archive”

Artist and Curator Panel Discussion
Artist Chuck Sperry, FWMoA Curator of Contemporary Art Josef Zimmerman, and independent curator and critic Carlo McCormick will speak on Sperry’s life and career. Enjoy a Bloody Mary cash bar.

Gallery talk with Chuck Sperry and Josef Zimmerman
Included with FWMoA admission. No RSVP required. Enjoy a walking gallery tour of Color X Color with artist Chuck Sperry and Curator of Contemporary Art Josef Zimmerman.

Printmaking Demonstration and Workshop with Chuck Sperry
Learn from the singular figure of psychedelic poster printmaking Chuck Sperry with a hands-on workshop. Fee includes all supplies and your take-home creation.

“Terpsichore” in the hand-weaving process at Taller Mexicano de Gobelinos, Guadalajara in 2020.

“Color x Color”, Sperry’s bestselling artist monograph and museum catalog is in its third printing.

 

Filed Under: News Tagged With: Chuck Sperry, Color x Color: Selections from the Chuck Sperry Archive, Fort Wayne Museum of Art

February 26, 2022 By squirt

“Equal Rights, Flower of Democracy” Release March 6

Equal Rights, Flower of Democracy 2022
21 x 32
Regular Edition of 300
6 colors on cream paper
Signed and Numbered

Sold Out – Thank You!

________________

Equal Rights, Flower of Democracy 2022
21 x 32
Silver Edition of 20
6 colors on silver metallic paper
Signed and Numbered

Sold Out – Thank You!

________________

Equal Rights, Flower of Democracy 2022
21 x 32
Gold Edition of 20
6 colors on gold metallic paper
Signed and Numbered

Sold Out – Thank You!

________________

Equal Rights, Flower of Democracy 2022
21 x 32
Sparkle Foil Edition of 20
6 colors on holographic sparkle foil
Signed and Numbered

Sold Out – Thank You!

________________

Equal Rights, Flower of Democracy 2022
21 x 32
Lava Foil Edition of 20
6 colors on holographic lava foil
Signed and Numbered

Sold Out – Thank You!

________________

There will be a very limited online release of my ERA poster and its variants on Sunday, March 6, 2022 at a random time between 9 am and 10 am PST.

Limited to one (1) per household. Subsequent orders will be cancelled.

50 prints / and a handful of variants are reserved for the first Artists 4 ERA event on the evening of Saturday, March 19, 2022 at Oakstop’s Broadway Gallery. Oakstop is located at 1721 Broadway in Oakland, CA.

Participating Artists: Shepard Fairey, Tara McPherson, Tracie Ching, Chuck Sperry, Kelly Tunstall, Ferris Plock, Deedee Cheriel, Kate Deciccio, Gabe Gault, Peregrine Honig, Jodie Herrera, Katty Huertas, Kefe, Amir Khadar, Steve Lambert, Nicole LaRue, Amanda Lynn, Gilda Posada, Claw Money, Tracy Murrell, Hannah Rothstein, Forest Stearns, Shannon Taylor, Miles Toland, Jennifer White-Johnson, Erin Yoshi, Dave Young Kim and more.

Here is the link to tickets for the March 19 event.

I want to welcome a lot of newcomers to my site! I’ll quickly explain how my releases on my website are conducted. My Equal Rights posters will be available, right here, in this post on Sunday, March 6, 2022 at a random time between 9 am and 10 am. A paypal “Buy Now” button will appear under the poster (above) at a random time. Variants posters will be revealed and appear with PayPal buttons at the same time. I will announce the price of each poster at the same time. Good luck to everyone, and as always, I am very appreciative of your support!

___________

I am very happy to announce the release of my poster to raise awareness for the Equal Rights Amendment. This issue means so much to me. Equality is the central issue of our day.

“Equality is the flower of democracy. Passing the Equal Rights Amendment — at long last — will be the path to gender equality for our American democracy. I am grateful to be called upon to include my voice in the collective call to bring about gender equality by amending the Constitution with passage of the ERA, and I was quick to reach out to fellow artists to join the call to action.”  — Chuck Sperry, artist statement for Artists 4 ERA

VoteEqualityUS is a nonpartisan grassroots effort promoting equal rights for all Americans, working to ensure the addition of the fully-ratified 28th Amendment (Equal Rights) to the United States Constitution. 

I created my ERA poster to intentionally refer to my art print, Clio, the Muse of history, daughter of memory. I suggest we remember where we came from, how we got here, who we are, and where we are going. History is not only a collection of objective facts; history is also a story. How we organize those objective facts says a lot about who we are, or who we want to be.

Filed Under: News Tagged With: Artists 4 ERA, Clio, Equal Rights Amendment, Muses, Oakstop, Vote Equality US

January 28, 2022 By squirt

Equal Rights Amendment Art Print for Vote Equality US

Equal Rights, Flower of Democracy 2022
21 x 32
Edition of 300
6 colors on cream paper
Signed and Numbered

I am very happy to reveal my poster to raise awareness for the Equal Rights Amendment. This issue means so much to me. Equality is the central issue of our day.

“Equality is the flower of democracy. Passing the Equal Rights Amendment — at long last — will be the path to gender equality for our American democracy. I am grateful to be called upon to include my voice in the collective call to bring about gender equality by amending the Constitution with passage of the ERA, and I was quick to reach out to fellow artists to join the call to action.”  — Chuck Sperry, artist statement for Artists 4 ERA

VoteEqualityUS is a nonpartisan grassroots effort promoting equal rights for all Americans, working to ensure the addition of the fully-ratified 28th Amendment (Equal Rights) to the United States Constitution. 

I created my ERA poster to intentionally refer to my art print, Clio, the Muse of history, daughter of memory. I suggest we remember where we came from, how we got here, who we are, and where we are going. History is not only a collection of objective facts; history is also a story. How we organize those objective facts says a lot about who we are, or who we want to be.

There will be a very limited online release of my poster in March – specific time TBA – and a series of art shows of all the talented Artists 4 ERA. 

The first event will be the evening of Saturday, March 19th, 2022 at Oakstop’s Broadway Gallery. Oakstop is located at 1721 Broadway in Oakland, CA.

Filed Under: News Tagged With: Artists 4 ERA, Clio, Equal Rights Amendment, Muses, Oakstop, Vote Equality US

January 20, 2022 By squirt

Chuck Sperry’s “Grateful Mahalo” Wins Poster of the Year 2021, “Helena” Wins Art Print of the Year 2021

Expressobeans members have voted my poster “Grateful Mahalo” and my art print “Helena” – Poster of the Year 2021, and Art Print of the Year 2021. I’m stunned and grateful to have won both honors!

My “Grateful Mahalo with Bill Kreutzmann and Billy Strings” poster celebrated Bill Kreutzmann’s 75th Birthday party in Kauai, Hawaii with an all-star band (Bill Kreutzmann, Billy Strings, Tom Hamilton, Reed Mathis, Aron Magner, James Casey, and special guest Carlos Santana). My poster was released through Fans.live and through Spoke Art – both employing a lottery system to accommodate the monumental demand for this print.

My art print “Helena” was previewed in Paris at l’Oeil Ouvert Gallery and in Geneva at Next Door Gallery, and released by Hashimoto Contemporary at Context Art Miami during Art Basel Week 2021. 

Thank you for the multiple honors! My thanks to everyone who supported me through this very challenging time. Your support, help, confidence and belief in my vision has helped me find the courage to meet the challenges of this year. 2020 and 2021 taught me an appreciation of the simple grace a creative life can offer, and dared me to dig deep to pursue my dreams, thank you for your support!

Chuck Sperry’s books are available HERE

Filed Under: News Tagged With: Art Print of the Year, Chuck Sperry, Expressobeans, Grateful Mahalo, Helena, Muses, Poster of the Year

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Latest News

  • Sperry Art Shows in France in June and July
  • “Syrinx” Variant Edition Release on May 3
  • “Sappho” Variant Edition Release on May 1
  • Photo Story: Opening Weekend “Color x Color” at Fort Wayne Museum of Art
  • “Color x Color” Chuck Sperry Retrospective at Fort Wayne Museum of Art until July

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About Chuck Sperry

Chuck Sperry lives in the Haight-Ashbury district of San Francisco, where he’s made his particular style of rock poster designs for over 20 years. He operates Hangar 18, a silkscreen print studio, located in Oakland. Learn More…

Archives

Sperry Books: “Color x Color” • “Helikon” • “Chthoneon”

Latest Blog Posts

  • Sperry Art Shows in France in June and July
  • “Syrinx” Variant Edition Release on May 3
  • “Sappho” Variant Edition Release on May 1
  • Photo Story: Opening Weekend “Color x Color” at Fort Wayne Museum of Art
  • “Color x Color” Chuck Sperry Retrospective at Fort Wayne Museum of Art until July

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