Julie Speed (born 1951, Chicago, Illinois) spent her twenties moving around the U.S. and Canada until moving to Texas in 1978, where she established her unique niche in the history of American art. Speed is known for mixing old styles with modern themes, creating works that are often timeless, whimsical, and folklorish.
Speed’s most ambitious project at Flatbed was her “Bible Studies” series of 2005, where she created seven prints using collaged antique engravings by Gustave Doré, a prolific French printmaker from the mid-19th century. Among these is “Ad Referendum”, a color polymer gravure with chine collé and hand coloring. “Ad Referendum” depicts the frontal portrait of a cleric in front of a bright red background. The cleric’s clothing surrounds him in collaged imagery of different biblical scenes. At first glance, the cleric’s facial expression and naturalistic style seem similar to that of a traditional Renaissance portrait. However, Speed’s unique rendering and maximised use of collage against the brilliant red background create something entirely unique.
Courtesy of Flatbed Press, Houston, Texas.