Know Justice Know Peace 2020

Curator: Here we have "Know Justice Know Peace," a 2020 print by Amos Kennedy. Its straightforward presentation, raw even, makes me think of protest signs. What's your first impression? Editor: Immediate. Visceral. The blocky typography, seemingly pressed hard into the surface...it speaks of labor, of repeated action, perhaps a sense of urgency. Is it letterpress? The texture looks like it. Curator: Yes, it is letterpress. And in looking at Kennedy's larger body of work, and his deep involvement in social justice issues, the message gains further significance, doesn't it? Considering his emphasis on race, power, and equity, "Know Justice Know Peace" operates almost as a manifesto. Editor: Precisely. Letterpress is inherently tactile, and there's an echo of the hand, a mark of production, in the finished piece. The choice of a relatively inexpensive material also reinforces this idea, aligning the artwork with accessibility and direct communication. Curator: Absolutely. The visual impact and accessibility circumvent more elite forms of art engagement, ensuring the sentiment "Know Justice Know Peace" engages with a broader, more diverse public. The visual directness demands action and acknowledges ongoing conversations about systemic injustice. Editor: The materials—paper, ink, the press itself—become tools of social commentary, of democratic expression. Consider the way Kennedy makes these prints – is this a one-off statement, or something produced and disseminated widely? How many hands touch this object? How many walls has it been hung on? Curator: Kennedy often prints in multiples, creating opportunities for wider distribution. I understand them to be more democratic in this approach, as they allow a wide range of access, reflecting an ongoing struggle for societal change. Editor: Then the mode of production directly challenges notions of preciousness and exclusivity. The artwork's value lies not in its uniqueness, but in its message and the collective effort it embodies. The point being it calls us all to think about what justice truly means and demands. Curator: Agreed, I see this print as an expression deeply intertwined with historical and contemporary social struggles, making it a powerful and crucial piece for dialogue today. Editor: Yes, a powerful statement simplified to its essential, material components, its success a product of intent and means working in tandem.