"Ad Referendum” by Julie Speed is our featured Flatbed Files print of the week.

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 maximized use of collage against the brilliant red background create something entirely unique.

You can see “Ad Referendum” and many other selections from Flatbed Press at Amanda Kadinov’s gallery event “Coming Home // Creating Home” on March 30th. The single-evening event will take place at 1215 W. 9th St. from 6-8 pm with a poetry reading at 7 pm.

Isabel Burnette, Flatbed Associate

JULIE SPEED
“Ad Referendum”
2005
Color polymer gravure with chine collé and hand coloring
Image Size: 23" X 17"
Paper Size: 30" X 22"