Artist Statement

speak•eas•y [speek-ee-zee] noun, plural speak•eas•ies – a saloon or nightclub selling alcoholic beverages illegally, especially during Prohibition

There was a time when alcohol was a luxury, not just a common, everyday commodity. At the same time, design was everyone’s last concern. This was the Prohibition Era, when they banned alcohol in the United States. Speakeasies were established and quickly became a social necessity to the American culture. Once alcohol was banned, people craved it even more.

Gangsters became a major resource in everyday life because they were often the main operators of speakeasies. The raw flavor of liquor became embraced, since low quality bootleg liquor was the only alcohol accessible.

I imagine secret, rustic, dark places where people gathered for drinking and socializing, getting their hands on illegal alcohol. However, in today’s design savvy society, the same concept can be improved through graphic design, thus enhancing the look, atmosphere and overall vibe of the space.

For this exhibition I have updated the design of liquor bottle labels and posters
echoing the types of items you would find in a 1920’s Speakeasy. I’ve referenced various design styles, while keeping my own style evident (a “less is more” approach), giving each piece depth and interest. My emphasis
is on minimal informational content, because all that really matters is what’s in the bottle. Through my designs I have distinguished the various types of liquor from each other, which was overlooked during Prohibition.

My poster designs could have easily been seen on the tables or hanging up in a Speakeasy during Prohibition.