Spike Press: Chicago

After moving across town last year, I have fallen in love with my new neighborhood. Despite some dispiriting signs of obvious gentrification, enough creative energy remains in the residents and environs of this area that just walking down the street can make me feel revitalized. And yet so much demands my attention (a new restaurant moving in, a new shop opening, the shirtless Asian guy dancing on the street corner, etc.) I sometimes miss the finer details. But if you pay attention while walking along, say, Milwaukee Avenue, you’ll get a visual treat as scores of posters promote this DJ or that band. Occasionally, one or two will pop out as particularly engaging and often it turns out the poster is the work of Spike Press. Spike Press is the nom de squeegee (his term) of John Solimine, a Chicago-based design whiz and illustrator extraordinaire whose art has graced posters for groups such as The Wrens*, Tokyo Police Club, and The National. In a recent interview, John mused on the definition of success in regards to his work, saying that “…a piece or illustration can be beautifully crafted and have a clever visual twist to it, but can still leave you cold…if I can get someone to laugh or say “awwww!” then it’s a success.” By that definition, I’d say John’s work has been — and will continue to be — very, very successful.

*Anytime you guys want to come back is absolutely fine with me. — H