Amos Paul Kennedy Jr: Apr. 11, 2023
Artist Lecture: April 11, 2023, 12–4:00 PM // Hodges Library, Brenda Lewis Peel Galleria
Amos Paul Kennedy Jr. is an American printer, book artist and papermaker best known for social and political commentary, particularly in printed posters.
Amos Paul Kennedy Letterpress work by Amos Paul Kennedy
People are welcome to attend this lecture virtually through a Zoom meeting.
Register in advance for this meeting:
tiny.utk.edu/kennedy
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
The Printmaking Program in the UT School of Art is hosting Amos Paul Kennedy Jr. April 10-14, 2023. During his week in residence Kennedy will bring socially-engaged letterpress printing to both campus and local communities. He will also have an exhibition of his work in the Printmaking Showcase Gallery April 1 – May 30, 2023.
In addition, on Tuesday, April 11, 2023, from 12 pm to 4 pm, Kennedy will lead: “Print Jam: Prints and Poets” at UT Hodges Library, Brenda Lewis Peel Galleria on the second floor near the Starbucks. This event will involve live printing collaborations with UTK student poets and writers.
Amos Paul Kennedy Jr. is an American printer, book artist and papermaker best known for social and political commentary, particularly in printed posters. One critic noted that Kennedy was “…unafraid of asking uncomfortable questions about race and artistic pretension.” During a time when our campus and local community needs more dialogue around issues of race, the work of Amos Paul Kennedy offers an excellent opportunity to involve arts and design in this larger conversation.
Kennedy is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin Madison where he studied under legendary book designer Walter Hamady and earned an MFA in 1997. He later taught graphic design at the Henry Radford Hope School of Fine Arts at Indiana University. His letterpress studio is currently based in Detroit, Michigan.
This exhibition coincides with Kennedy’s invitation to join UTK Print as a Visiting Artist, April 10–14, 2023. During his week in residence Kennedy brings socially engaged letterpress printing to the UTK campus and the broader Knoxville community, including projects with Austin-East Magnet High School and The Bottom’s Black Creatives Meetup. Sponsorship is provided by the UT School of Art, the UT Department of English, UT Africana Studies Department, the UT Libraries, The UT Council for Diversity and Inclusion and the Office of Diversity and Engagement.