Chuck Sperry

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Photo Story: Opening Weekend “Color x Color” at Fort Wayne Museum of Art

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.

I would like to thank the Fort Wayne Museum of Art for a spectacular opening last weekend! 

My supporters came from every corner of the country to share in the opening celebration of events. I can not thank each and every one of you enough for your beautiful energy and enthusiasm! The staff of the museum showed Olympian hospitality, good humor and grace to me and all my supporters, friends and family.

Special thanks to Museum CEO and President Charles Shepard and Museum Curator of Contemporary Art Josef Zimmerman for mounting this massive retrospective of my printmaking art, and the establishment of a special permanent collection of my entire body of work. I would like to send my appreciation to the entire organization, from trustees to staff who support the archive and the exhibition of my work. 

Talented photographer Shaun Roberts documented the excitement of opening night, artist talk, museum curator tour, and artist workshop at the museum (below).

Friday: Exhibition Opening

Saturday: Artist Talk with Carlo McCormick

Saturday: Curator Tour with Josef Zimmerman

Sunday: Printmaking Demonstration

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“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. 

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Color x Color: The Sperry Poster Archive – New Dates! – Retrospective Book, Poster Releases and Museum Exhibition

Published by Hangar 18
Introductions by Charles Bock and Carlo McCormick, 
Afterword by Josef Zimmerman, Fort Wayne Museum of Art, Curator of Contemporary Art
Hardback First Edition of 1500
10.5 x 12.875 x 2+ inches 
752 pages / index
800+ color illustrations

“Color x Color: The Sperry Poster Archive” illustrates the 40 year career arc of renowned rock poster artist and master screen printer, Chuck Sperry. The 750+ page tome features over 800 color reproductions of Sperry’s work, from his early years creating posters for Bill Graham’s legendary Fillmore Auditorium, to his eye-arresting work for The Who, Eric Clapton, Pearl Jam, and the Black Keys.

Sperry Introduces each chapter of “Color x Color” with fresh and  insightful autobiographical detail, shedding light on his colorful art, life and career. As the artist prefaces his book: “To show you everything, well, that’s exactly what I set out to do two years ago. This book brings together every poster I have created.” 

The impetus to create this exhaustively complete book originates with the creation of an extensive special permanent collection of Sperry’s art to enter the archives of the Fort Wayne Museum of Art. 

“Color x Color” will be available through www.chucksperry.net in May 2020. Stay tuned for online release information!

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Color X Color: Selections from the Chuck Sperry Archive
October 24, 2020 – January 31, 2021

**IMPORTANT! Due to the significant impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, we have moved the events for this exhibition to the weekend of October 23-25, 2020. Any tickets you have purchased will be automatically transferred to the dates below.

If you have already purchased tickets for any “Color X Color” event but cannot attend in October, we politely ask that you consider donating those tickets to the Fort Wayne Museum of Art. However, we are prepared to offer you a full refund if you elect not to attend nor donate your tickets. Refund instructions will be made available April 22, 2020 through Fort Wayne Museum of Art.

Fort Wayne Museum of Art has kindly created a spectacular schedule of events for my solo retrospective museum exhibition. Please join us for a series of events that brings together the best of art and music!

Schedule of events for “Color x Color: Selections from the Chuck Sperry Archive” – with new event dates – the exhibition duration will be: October 24, 2020 – January 31, 2021.

October 23, 2020 6:30pm – Opening and Poster Release

TICKETS FOR THE SALE ARE SOLD OUT – See below to purchase admission-only tickets.

Still want to attend the opening but didn’t get a ticket for the sale? Get admission-only tickets here. 

Three brand new original Chuck Sperry designs will be revealed and released at this event (Oct 23).
(Museum Archive posters – on view at the museum exhibition – will not be for sale)

At this event, celebrate opening night of Chuck Sperry’s retrospective exhibition “Color X Color”, which will feature 150 prints representing the entirety of Sperry’s career. Enjoy appetizers and cash bar.

October 24, 11am – 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.
Tickets Available HERE

October 24, 3pm – 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.

October 25, 3-4pm – 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.
Sold Out – Thank You!

 

 

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Color x Color: The Sperry Poster Archive – Retrospective Book, Poster Releases and Museum Exhibition

Published by Hangar 18
Introductions by Charles Bock and Carlo McCormick, 
Afterword by Josef Zimmerman, Fort Wayne Museum of Art, Curator of Contemporary Art
Hardback First Edition of 1500
10.5 x 12.875 x 2+ inches 
752 pages / index
800+ color illustrations

“Color x Color: The Sperry Poster Archive” illustrates the 40 year career arc of renowned rock poster artist and master screen printer, Chuck Sperry. The 750+ page tome features over 800 color reproductions of Sperry’s work, from his early years creating posters for Bill Graham’s legendary Fillmore Auditorium, to his eye-arresting work for The Who, Eric Clapton, Pearl Jam, and the Black Keys.

Sperry Introduces each chapter of “Color x Color” with fresh and  insightful autobiographical detail, shedding light on his colorful art, life and career. As the artist prefaces his book: “To show you everything, well, that’s exactly what I set out to do two years ago. This book brings together every poster I have created.” 

The impetus to create this exhaustively complete book originates with the creation of an extensive special permanent collection of Sperry’s art to enter the archives of the Fort Wayne Museum of Art. 

“Color x Color” will be first made available at Sperry’s solo retrospective exhibition, “Color x Color: Selections from the Chuck Sperry Archive” at the Fort Wayne Museum of Art.

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Color X Color: Selections from the Chuck Sperry Archive
April 18-June 7, 2020

Fort Wayne Museum of Art has kindly created a spectacular schedule of events for my solo retrospective museum exhibition. Please join us for a series of events that brings together the best of art and music!

Schedule of events for “Color x Color: Selections from the Chuck Sperry Archive”

April 17, 6:30pm – Opening and Poster Release

Three brand new original Chuck Sperry designs will be revealed and released at this event (April 17).
(Museum Archive posters – on view at the museum exhibition – will not be for sale)

At this event, celebrate opening night of Chuck Sperry’s retrospective exhibition “Color X Color”, which will feature 150 prints representing the entirety of Sperry’s career. Enjoy appetizers and cash bar.
Tickets Available HERE

April 18, 11am – 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.
Tickets Available HERE

April 18, 3pm – 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.

April 19, 3-4pm – 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.
Tickets Available HERE

May 7: Curator’s Tour, 12:15pm
Curator of Contemporary Art Josef Zimmerman will take you take you on a lively and engaging gallery tour of Color X Color. From specialized and personal points of view, curators offer unique perspectives on all FWMoA exhibits. Free with Museum admission.

 

 

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“Don’t Panic Open House” Chuck Sperry’s Hangar 18 Studio

Chuck-Sperry-open-house

Friday, July 15, 2016
12 noon to 6 pm

Hangar 18
1428 34th Street (at Hollis)
Oakland, CA

I’m very happy to announce, my Third Annual Open House at Hangar 18 Studio Gallery on Friday, July 15 from 12 noon to 6 pm.

Let’s get together for a celebration! I’d love to welcome the Widespread Panic family to Oakland, California and give everyone a warm welcome to the my studio. This is a great opportunity to visit the print studio that gave birth to some of your favorite posters for your favorite band. I’ll be making a Widespread Panic art show, an exclusive showing of my art prints on oak panel, with some special prints, rarities, and surprises available!

We will be giving people random numbers at the door at 11 am, so overnight camping is not encouraged.

Outlaw-Bible-Chuck-Sperry

I will have the brand, new book, “The Outlaw Bible of American Art” (Last Gasp) on sale as well. Edited by Alan Kaufman, this new anthology of art documents movements from the Post-war to the present, and includes a profile of my work.

The book includes: Brett Amory, James Romberger, Boris Lurie, Forrest Bess, Gertrude Stein, Tom Wolfe, Dash Snow, Carlo McCormick, Annie Sprinkle, John Yau, Allen Ginsberg, R. Crumb, Claes Oldenberg, Thomas Nozkowski, Richard Kern, Joe Coleman, Molly Crabapple, Nick Zedd, David Wojnarowicz and hundreds more.

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Directions

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Archives

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

Latest Blog Posts

Chuck Sperry