Chris Speakman
Sports, Art & Propaganda
April 4 - May 24, 2009 (artist reception: Friday, April 10, 6-8 pm)
meet the artist at SOWA Art Walk: Sat, May 16, 1-4 pm
Michelle Willey's home boutique is proud to announce an exhibition of silk-screened prints by Somerville artist, Chris Speakman. This show is a perfect start to spring with its dramatic baseball imagery. Speakman has created a unique series of art prints inspired by classic propaganda posters from the 1940s and current major league baseball players.
Read more about Speakman and this show in the Weekly Dig and the Boston Community Examiner.
   Printed in limited editions on archival quality cotton paper, each print is handmade, signed and dated by Speakman.
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| about Speakman
Working out of his Somerville studio, printmaker Chris Speakman creates inspirational limited edition posters that speak to both sports fans and art collectors. A self-described history and baseball nerd, Speakman appreciated how propaganda posters had a simple concept and style, yet project a strong "us" versus "them" message – something akin to baseball rivalries.
After studying art at the University of Hartford, Speakman worked as a graphic artist in Boston. At the same time, he was experimenting with silk-screen printing, a technique used for propaganda posters of the 30s, 40s and 50s.
His first print was entitled "United We Are Strong" and featured an image of Boston Red Sox player David Ortiz. "It was more of an experiment than anything," Speakman explained. "I was familiarizing myself with the medium. I put it on MySpace and received a surprisingly good response. I decided to do more." The more Speakman printed, the more recognition he received. Soon he left his day job to print posters and promote his business, Sports Propaganda.
In 2008, Dunkin Donuts hired Speakman to create a series of Boston Red Sox posters. With the ever-growing demand for his art, Speakman has branched out to other teams and cities. Still, Speakman is making each poster by hand – from the initial design to his signature at the bottom of each print.
 Chris Speakman at work in his studio, and with Red Sox star relief pitcher, Jonathan Papelbon.
Speakman and his posters have been featured in a variety of publications including the Boston Sunday Globe and ESPN.com. |
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