Bradford Work

April 27, 2008

The current issue of ReadyMade features the headboard I designed with skateboards. It is a full page image and looks fantastic. Pick up a copy or you can see it in ReadyMade's digital version.

March 31, 2008

I love when beautiful things have special meaning. It is with this in mind that I write to you about the art of Joe and Gerry Simboli. The Simbolis are parents of one of Ben and my best friends, Leslie, who happens to share the same birthday as me. When Ben and I were in Philly several years ago we visited the Simbolis and they showed us some of their work in their art studio. They're graphic artists and in the late 60s they designed a series of 12 posters depicting the Zodiac. Lesley had given us one of these posters printed in 1969. I loved it dearly and always wanted more.

The Simboli's Zodiacs also caught the eye of British fashion designer Paul Smith, who several seasons ago, licensed 11 of the 12 original images. PS did not love the Gemini and Joe and Gerry redesigned this sign to the fashion house's liking. The result of the collaboration yielded shirts, pants, cufflinks, etc. featuring the Simboli's signs.

Then by chance Leslie gave us two posters printed in 1970. These posters, though graphic and stylistically akin to the Zodiac, carried a much deeper meaning: anti-war. Everyone who comes into our house remarks about the posters which got me wondering how many existed and what were the story behind them. My sleuthing unveiled the discovery that the Simbolis, now in their 80s, had saved many of these posters and together we've agreed to bring them to a much broader audience.

16 of the Simboli's designs will be available through me/my website. The first four will be the "War" series. The four were designed at the same time in response to the Vietnam war. Their simple, modern messages still ring true to this day. Two of these posters are vintage and were printed in 1970. The other two will be laser printed to order and signed by the artists. Below are the images, pricing, and count of each. In several days I will post/email information on the zodiac posters.

If you'd like to buy one or ask any questions just email me at bradford@bradfordshellhammer.com. I am not making any money from these sales. I am doing this as a way to bring art that has made me and Ben very happy to many more and to allow my friends, colleagues, and clients a chance to own a little piece of history. Words cannot describe how incredible they are. Please share with your friends. Thanks.

Links:

Flickr Gallery
Artist Statement
Joe and Gerry Bio

War (Pull) $150
24 1/4" x 20 3/4" black white and orange
copies 75
Printed/Designed 1970
Signed

Pray for Rain $150
24 1/4" x 20 3/4" magenta black and white
Copies 45
Printed/Designed 1970
Signed

Dove Hanging from Flags $75
23 3/4 x 17 3/4" black and multi-colored
Printed 2008/Designed 1970
Signed

War/Earth on Edge $75
black/gray/white on magenta 23 3/4 x 17 3/4"
Printed 2008/Designed 1970
Signed

joe and gerry simboli bios

After graduating from the University of the Arts, Joe Simboli opened a freelance studio in Philadelphia. After working as an art director for Ladies Home Journal and an advertising agency, Gerry joined him at Simboli Design and they began a career in design that has taken many forms.

They have produced art and illustrations, as well as many product designs and posters for agencies, pharmaceutical and publishing companies and the Franklin Mint. Joe represented the United States in an international poster competition for the United Nations. Gerry became an art consultant for the world famous Longwood Gardens, designing books, posters, a ten-nation Worldfare display, many of their topiary animals and two of their Christmas displays.

Their portfolio includes many products for children, including a dexterity toy manufactured by Creative Playthings and a "fool the eye" card game, published by Cadaco Company. Additionally, they designed lines of collector doll furniture for Reed and Barton and Madame Alexander Doll Company.

In 1969, Poster Prints commissioned Simboli Design to create a line of very graphically strong and colorful zodiac posters, which were were sold worldwide. Recently, Paul Smith Ltd., a leading fashion designer based in the UK, found the posters on a website in California. They were used for a line of casual clothing and were featured on the Neiman Marcus website, as well as in a NM catalog.

a message of peace in print

This is a statement by Joe Simboli about his posters I am selling:

The Vietnam War was raging. For the first time, images of the conflict and daily body counts made their way into American homes by way of TV. It reminded me of my experiences during the fight against the Nazis in WWII and what I encountered in Ordruf, the first death camp to be liberated in Germany. The stacks of dead bodies and barely living remaining prisoners made clearly evident man’s potential for savage inhumanity.

In protest of the Vietnam War, a well-known art director in New York City sent out a call for artists and designers to create anti-war posters. To support his efforts, I responded with a few poster designs. Later, sometime in the 70’s, I chose two of my posters and had them printed. They were sold on college campuses and in bookstores.

Man has engaged in war from his very beginning. Sometimes the reason for it is not black and white, but exists in shades of gray. These posters are not meant to be a political statement. They are a reflection on the cruelty of war and its insanity.

- Joe Simboli, 2008