About the Artist
Julie Speidel’s sculptures engage an extraordinary array of cultural influences, reaching back through antiquity to the stone- and bronze-age peoples of Europe, the early Buddhists of China, the indigenous tribes of her native Pacific Northwest, and on into twentieth-century modernism. Depending on our own spheres of knowledge, we may find in her work echoes of the British Isles’ megalithic stone structures, Cycladic Greek fertility figures, Native American totem poles, and dozens of other iconic cultural forms, some universally recognized, others buried by history. At the same time, her work is strongly linked to that of modernists like Henry Moore and Picasso, who were likewise enormously influenced by the language of antiquity and sought to reinterpret it through a contemporary lens.
Speidel often works at the intersection between figuration and abstraction, suggesting the human form through combinations of elegantly simple shapes. At times, her sculptures appear to diverge from the figure altogether, but they often preserve the basic components of bodies: circles and ovals evocative of heads, vertical forms echoing limbs. On the other hand, they seem inextricably linked to the natural world, their forms equally influenced by boulders and trees. It’s a dichotomy that, at its core, taps directly into the intimate connection ancient people felt with the earth.
“The inspiration for my work is rooted in the power of travel,” Speidel remarks, and indeed, her sculptures assimilate cultural influences in a manner reminiscent of traveloque–organic and intuitive, not academic or preordained. Her work encourages us to make complex associations, but it delights as well in purely formal properties; color, carefully poised compositions, the natural qualities of bronze, glass, and stone. Seen in a landscape, Speidel’s sculptures have a Zen-like relationship with the surrounding area, humbling themselves to the natural world while simultaneously enhancing it, amplifying its effect. When installed indoors, they act as oases of nature, exuding an enigmatic, earthly quality despite their manmade origins, as if in conversation with the organic universe. This, perhaps, is among the most remarkable aspects of Speidel’s sculpture; its capacity to engage in dialogue with the world–not only with its natural elements, but also with the whole of human history and art.
2014
“Native Ground”, Winston Wächter Fine Art, Seattle WA
“Hermus”, Caldwell Snyder Gallery, St Helena, CA
“Pactolus”, Gail Severn Gallery, Ketchum, ID
2013
“An Experience, Sculpture in the Landscape,” Bloedel Reserve, Bainbridge Island, WA
2012
“Kohatu,“ Winston Wachter Fine Art, Seattle, WA
2011
“Gopura,“ Caldwell Snyder Gallery, San Francisco, CA
“Cerrig Wen”, Gail Severn Gallery, Ketchum, ID
“Tempat”, Winston Wachter Fine Art, New York, NY
2010
“Apposition,“ Winston Wachter Fine Art, Seattle, WA
2009
“Overlay,“ Gail Severn Gallery, Ketchum, ID
“New Work,“ Caldwell Snyder Gallery, San Francisco, CA
2008
“Benches,“ Winston Wachter Fine Art, New York, NY
“Yorro Yorro,“ Winston Wachter Fine Art, Seattle, WA
“Recent Sculpture,“ Caldwell Snyder Gallery, St Helena, CA
2007
“Sibu,” Gail Severn Gallery, Ketchum, ID
“Chalcidice,” Winston Wachter Fine Art, Seattle, WA
2006
“Govannon,” Gail Severn Gallery, Ketchum, ID
2005
Ancient Deities,” Gail Severn Gallery, Ketchum, ID
2004
“Unearthed,” Winston Wachter Fine Art, Seattle, WA
2003
“Chakpori,” Gail Severn Gallery, Ketchum, ID
2002
“Nod to Xian,” Winston Wachter Fine Art, Seattle, WA
Gail Severn Gallery, Ketchum, ID
2001
“Cerne Abbas,” Gail Severn Gallery, Ketchum, ID
2000
“Threshold Guardians,” Foster/White Gallery, Seattle, WA
Gail Severn Gallery, Ketchum, ID
1999
Blue Heron Art Gallery, Vashon Island, WA
Gail Severn Gallery, Ketchum, ID
1998
“Mani,” Foster/White Gallery, Seattle, WA
Gail Severn Gallery, Ketchum, ID
1996
Gail Severn Gallery, Ketchum, ID
“Of All Things Yielding,” Foster/White Gallery, Seattle, WA
1995
Gail Severn Gallery, Ketchum, ID
1994
“Open Ground,” Linda Farris Gallery, Seattle, WA
1993
Gail Severn Gallery, Ketchum, ID
1992
“New Works,” Linda Farris Gallery, Seattle, WA
Olga Dollar Gallery, San Francisco, CA
1990
“New Bronze Sculpture,” Linda Farris Gallery, Seattle, WA
1988
Linda Farris Gallery, Seattle, WA
Gail Severn Gallery, Ketchum, ID
1987
“From the Circle,” Linda Farris Gallery, Seattle WA
Gail Severn Gallery, Ketchum, ID
1980-84
Gail Severn Gallery, Ketchum, ID
GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2012
Voigt Family Foundation Invitational, “The Spirit of the Man”, Santa Rosa, CA
Hallie Ford Museum of Art, Salem, OR
National Altar Guild Association Art Exhibit, Indianopolis, IN
Bellevue Art Museum, Court of Light, Bellevue, WA
2010
Whatcom County Museum, Bellingham, WA
“A Concise History of Northwest Art,” Tacoma Art Museum, Tacoma, WA
2009
Small Sculptural Invitational, Desert Art Collection, Palm Desert, CA
2008
Caldwell Snyder Gallery, St Helena and San Francisco, CA
Gail Severn Gallery, Ketchum, ID
Winston Wachter Fine Art, Seattle, WA and New York, NY
Julie Nester Gallery, Park City, UT
Susan Street Fine Art, Solano Beach, CA
Cornish Alumni Exhibition, Seattle, WA
Outdoor Sculpture Invitational, Westcott Bay Reserve, Friday Harbor, WA
Bellevue Arts Museum’s Plaza , Bellevue Arts Museum, Bellevue, WA
2006
“Holiday 2006,” Gail Severn Gallery, Ketchum, ID
“Spring Highlights,” Winston Wachter Fine Art, Seattle, WA
“Out of the Box,” Women Beyond Borders, International Traveling Exhibit
Invitational, Westcott Bay Reserve, Friday Harbor, WA
Julie Nester Gallery, Park City, Utah
SB Fine Art, Beverly Hills, CA
Susan Street Fine Art, Solano Beach, CA
Winston Wachter Fine Art, New York, NY
Bellevue Arts Museum’s Plaza (four sculptures), Bellevue Arts Museum, Bellevue, WA
2005
Allene Lapides Gallery, Santa Fe, NM
“North by Northwest,” Winston Wachter Fine Art, New York, NY
“Lucky 7: 7 Women Artists from the Northwest,” Winston Wachter Fine Art, Seattle, WA
Bellevue Arts Museum’s Plaza (four sculptures), Bellevue Arts Museum, Bellevue, WA
Julie Nester Gallery, Park City, UT
“Art Invitational 2005,” Commissioned Artist, Vashon Allied Arts, Vashon Island, WA
SB Fine Art, Beverly Hills, CA
Outdoor Sculpture Invitational, Westcott Bay Reserve, Friday Harbor, WA
2004
Gail Severn Gallery, Ketchum, ID
“Benchmark,” LongHouse Reserve, East Hampton, NY
Allene Lapides Gallery, Santa Fe, NM
Outdoor Sculpture Invitational, Westcott Bay Reserve, Friday Harbor, WA
“The Art of Travel,” Blue Heron Art Center, Vashon Island, WA
“Four from the Northwest,” Winston Wachter Fine Art, Seattle, WA
2003
Winston Wachter Fine Art, Seattle, WA and New York, NY
“Shades of Summer,” Susan Street Fine Art Gallery, Solana Beach, CA
Outdoor Sculpture Invitational, Westcott Bay Reserve, Friday Harbor, WA
Tercera Gallery, San Francisco, CA
Museum of Northwest Art, La Conner, WA
La Conner Outdoor Sculpture Exhibition, La Conner, WA
SB Fine Art, Beverly Hills, CA
Cornish Alumni Exhibition, Seattle, WA
2002
Winston Wachter Fine Art, Seattle, WA
Gail Severn Gallery, Ketchum, ID
Outdoor Sculpture Invitational, Westcott Bay Reserve, Friday Harbor, WA
Foster/White Gallery, Kirkland, WA
Tercera Gallery, San Francisco, CA
Vanier Galleries, Scottsdale, AZ
Outdoor Sculpture Invitational, Seattle Art Museum, Seattle, WA
2001
Foster/White Gallery, Seattle, WA
Gail Severn Gallery, Ketchum, ID
Tercera Gallery, San Francisco, CA
Vanier Galleries, Scottsdale, AZ
Outdoor Sculpture Invitational, Seattle Art Museum, Seattle, WA
2000
Foster/White Gallery, Seattle, WA
Artists Circle Fine Art, Potomac, MD
Tercera Gallery, San Francisco, CA
“Modern Stone Age: Concrete Art from Pratt,” Seattle, WA
1999
HorseHead International Sculpture Project, Seattle, WA, and Belfast, Ireland
Tercera Gallery, San Francisco, CA
Foster/White Gallery, Kirkland, WA
Silverwood Gallery, Vashon Island, WA
1998
“Samhain,” HorseHead International Sculpture Project, Sand Point, Seattle, WA
“SOFA,” Gail Severn Gallery, Chicago, IL
Susan Street Fine Art Gallery, Solana Beach, CA
Lumina Gallery, Taos, NM
1997
Janet Laurel, A Woman’s Gallery, Seattle, WA
“SOFA,” Gail Severn Gallery, Chicago, IL
Susan Street Fine Art Gallery, Solana Beach, CA
Foster/White Gallery, Kirkland, WA
Shidoni Gallery, Tesuque, NM
Artfair, Seattle, WA, Gail Severn Gallery
Lumina Gallery, Taos, NM
Silverwood Gallery, Vashon Island, WA
1996
“Group Exhibition,” Foster/White Gallery, Kirkland, WA
Bellevue Arts Commission Sculpture Exhibition, Bellevue, WA
Shidoni Gallery, Tesuque, NM
Lumina Gallery, Taos, NM
Margo Jacobsen Gallery, Portland, OR
1995
“Shaped by the Spirit, Shaped by the Land,” Museum of Northwest Art, La Conner, WA
Triton Court, Artfair, Gail Severn Gallery, San Francisco, CA,
Shidoni Gallery, Tesuque, NM
Lumina Gallery, Taos, NM
Margo Jacobsen Gallery, Portland, OR
1994
Susan Street Gallery, Del Mar, CA
Shidoni Gallery, Tesuque, NM
Lumina Gallery, Taos, NM
Margo Jacobsen Gallery, Portland, OR
1993
Linda Farris Gallery, Seattle, WA
Susan Street Gallery, Del Mar, CA
Shidoni Gallery, Tesuque, NM
Artfair, Seattle, WA
Olga Dollar Gallery, San Francisco, CA
1992
“A Garden for Sculpture,” Bumbershoot, Seattle Center, Seattle, WA
“The Passionate Print,” Bumbershoot, Seattle Center, Seattle, WA
1991
“Masterworks: Pacific Northwest Arts and Crafts Now,” Bellevue Art Museum, WA
1990
Linda Farris Gallery, Seattle, WA
1989
Shidoni Gallery, Tesuque, New Mexico
Linda Farris Gallery, Seattle, WA
1988
“Contemporary Metals USA III,” Downey Museum of Art, Downey, CA
1987
“Seattle Sculpture, 1927-1987,” Bumberbiennale, Seattle Center, Seattle, WA,
Curated by Matthew Kangas
Robert Lee Morris, Artwear, New York, NY.
“Art Working Art,”Bellevue Art Museum, Bellevue, WA
1986
Northwest Art Exposition, Atrium Sculpture Show, Seattle, WA
“Contemporary Metals USA II,” Downey Museum of Art, Downey, CA
Robert Lee Morris, Artwear, New York, NY
1974
The Overland Express (three locations), lighting, Bozeman, MT
1973
Bellevue Arts and Crafts Show, Bellevue, WA
Ray’s Boathouse, restaurant metalwork, Seattle, WA
Jewelry Exhibition, Gail Severn Gallery, Ketchum, ID
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Metalsmith Magazine, Judy Wagonfeld, “In The Studio, Julie Speidel”, Vol. 34, No 3 2014, pp 18-19
100 Artists of the Northwest, E Ashley Rooney, Schiffer Publishing Ltd., 2013 pp 190-191
Pacific Northwest Magazine, Seattle Times, “On the up-and-up”, September 29, 2013, pp 22
Sunset Magazine, “Best of the West- our twelve favorite things to do this month”, September 2013, pp 14
Bainbridge Island Review, “Bloedel Reserve becomes outdoor gallery for Speidel sculptures”, August 2013
Seattle Magazine, Davis, Brangian, “Beyond Winslow”, August 2013, pp. 83
Luxe Interiors + Design, Stylemakers: Julie Speidel, Winter 2013, pp 150-151
Luxe Interiors + Design, Features: Light House, Fall 2012 pp 194-195
Conley, Adam. “Renewal in Art and Architecture”, The Episcopal Voice, Vol.22, Fall 2011, pp 6-11
Forsen, John. “Julie Speidel: The Perfect Edge”. Documentary featured on Seattle Channel, August 2011.
Kangas, Matthew, Return to the Viewer: Selected Art Reviews, Midmarch Arts Press, 2011
Teagarden, Rebecca, “Of Earth and Water and Sky”, The Seattle Times Sunday Magazine: Pacific Northwest, May 8, 2011
Flores, Michele Matassa, “High on Seattle”, The Seattle Times Sunday Magazine: Pacific Northwest, April 3, 2011
Updike, Robin. “Seventy Jewelers. Seventy Challenges”, Ornament, September, 2010
Hayes, Linda, “Tall Order, “Luxe Interiors and Design, Winter 2010
Kangas, Matthew, “Julie Speidel: Apposition”, Exhibition catalog, Winston Wachter Fine Art, Spring 2010
Grant, Adriana, “Inspired by nature,“ InSight: the Cornish Magazine, 2010
Olson Sundberg Kundig Allen and Webb, Michael, “Jim Olson Houses,“New York: The Monacelli Press, Spring 2009
Friesen, Andrea, “Speak for the Trees,“ Seattle: Marquand Books, 2009
Wolfe, Ann, “Things We Love,“Western Art and Architecture, Summer Fall 2009
Meade, Michael, “Exhibition catalog,“A grammar of minerals, an eloquenc of forms, Winston Wachter Fine Art, Spring 2008
Wagner, Gretchen, “Sharing Desire, “Sun Valley Home, Spring 2007
Randall, Janice, “New Julie Speidel book,“ Island View, March, 2007
Frank, Michael, “Park Avenue Renewal,“Architectural Digest, February, 2007
Henry, Clare and Elizabeth A Brown, Julie Speidel, La Conner: Museum of Northwest Art, 2006
Dickey, Page, “Gardens in the Spirit of Place,” New York: Stewart, Tabori & Chang, 2005
Randall, Janice, “Julie Speidel presents ’Dancing at the Still Point,’“The Beachcomber,
August 31, 2005
Grant, David, “Chihuly Glasswork Frames BAM Re-opening,“King County Journal, June 2005
Suncadia Sun Times, May 2005
Humphrey, Linda & O’Keefe, Linda, “Steeling Beauty,“Metropolitan Home, May 2005
Brinkmann, Anna, ” ’The Gathering’ to be dedicated: Julie Speidel’s work featured at new
Courthouse Square”The Beachcomber, Feb 2005
Hackett, Regina, “Seattle Sculptor Speidel Brings a Remarkable Polish to Her Raw Inspiration,”
Seattle P-I, November 2004
Rauma, Mary Kay, “Ageless Works Transport Viewers in Time,“The Beachcomber, November 2004
Prisant, Carol, “Lounging at Long House,“World of Interiors, September 2004
Kennedy, Lisa, “For Heaven’s Sake,“ Seattle Homes & Lifestyles, June 2004
Rauma, Mary Kay, “PTSA Auction has Speidel,“The Beachcomber, February 2004
Loos, Ted, “Sun Valley Splendor,“House Beautiful, January 2004
Wagonfeld, Judy, “Personality-filled Sculptures seem to say’Hi, My name is..’”, Feb 2005
Seattle P-I, Oct 4, 2002
Riedel, Mija, “Art as the Blueprint,“American Craft, August/September 2003
Glowen, Ron, “Julie Speidel,“Art Access, October 2002
Kangas, Matthew, “Two Galleries Showcase Veteran Sculptors’ Works,”
The Seattle Times, September 27, 2002
Deloris Tarzan Ament and Mary Randlett, “Iridescent Light: The Emergence of Northwest Art,” 2002
CR Douglas, television interview, Northwest Week, May 14, 2001
“Water Sculpture,“Sun Valley Art, Summer/Fall 2000
Regina Hackett, “Fest Exhibits Range from Upper Crust to Lowbrow,“Seattle P-I, September 3, 1999
Kristian Kofoed, “Sculpture, 40,000 Years Later,“Seattle Weekly, September 2, 1999
Matthew Kangas, “Julie Speidel, Foster/White,“Sculpture, July/August 1999
Jennifer Reidel, “Julie Speidel, Sculpture, Brad Huskinson, Photographs,“ Island View, March 1999
Steve Reed, “Photography, Sculpture, Together at Heron,“The Beachcomber, March 3, 1999
Matthew Kangas, “HorseHead Sculpture Project 1998,“ Sculpture, December 1998
“Concrete Monument Named after Loughgall,“The Portadown Times (Ireland), November 1998
Regina Hackett, “Sculpture on Guard at Deserted Sand Point,“Seattle P-I, September 25, 1998
Matthew Kangas, “Naval Gazing,“ Seattle Times, August 20, 1998
Douglas McLennan, “HorseHead Artists Exhibit Quite a Ride,“Seattle P-I, August 10, 1998
Jim Turner, “Sculpture Celebrates Judge Mo Sharp,“King County Bar Bulletin,
Seattle, WA September 1998
“Visual World,“ American Way (American Airlines magazine), September 1, 1997
“Susan Street Fine Art Gallery,“South Coast Style, 1997/1998
Robin Updike, “Art of new shoes pays homage to history, biology, poetry,“
The Seattle Times, March 14, 1996
Robin Updike, “Ancient Artistry,“The Seattle Times, November 8, 1994
Delores Ament, “Grace and Transcendence Mark Sculptor’s Works,“The Seattle Times, June 1, 1992
Cecilia Goodnow, Seattle P-I, May 28, 1992
Linda Schink Frizzell, “Sharing Through Art…Julie Speidel,“The Key, Spring, 1990
Delores Tarzau, “Speidel’s Jewelry and Spirit Soar in New York,“The Seattle Times, June 17, 1987
Barbara Huston, “Playful Art Salutes Valentine’s Day,“ Seattle P-I, April 20, 1987
Sharon H. O’Boyle, “Sound Designs,“Washington, September/October 1986
Elizabeth Rhodes, “Wear It Well,“Pacific Magazine, August 5, 1984
Priscilla Turner, “Lots of Questions and a little luck,“The Crafts Report, August/September 1984
Tom Stockley, The Seattle Times (Pictorial), December 10, 1972
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS
2005-2013
Board Member, Advancement Committee, Cornish College of the Arts, Seattle, WA
1999-2005
Board Member, Co-chair Artist’s Committee, New Facilities Committee, Pratt Fine Arts Center, Seattle, WA
2002
Jury Member, Bellevue Sculpture Exhibition, Bellevue Arts Commission
1995-1999
Seattle Arts Commission, Commissioner and Chair, Public Art Committee
Curator, Sculpture ” 40,000 Years Later, Bumbershoot, Seattle, WA
1995-1999
Commissioner, Seattle Arts Commission, Public Art Committee
1994-1997
Board Member, International Music Festival of Seattle
1993-1997
Board Member, Northwest Institute for Architecture and Urban Studies on Italy
1993-1996
Chair, Art Procurement for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Co-chair, Western Washington Chapter
1992
Peer Review Panel, Olympia Arts Commission Peer Review Panel, Seattle Arts Commission
1990-1994
Bumbershoot Festival Commission
1990
Judge, Northwest Women in Art
EDUCATION
1967-1968
Cornish Institute, Seattle, WA
1961-1963
University of Grenoble, France
1959-1961
University of Washington, Seattle, WA
COMMISSIONS AND COLLECTIONS
AT&T Gateway Tower, Seattle, WA
Bellevue Towers, two site-specific sculptures, Bellevue, WA
Bentall Corporation, Puget Sound Energy Summit Building, Bellevue, WA
Boeing Commercial Airplane Group Headquarters, Tukwila, WA
Cairncross & Hemplemann, Seattle, WA
Central Oregon Community College, site-specific sculpture, Bend, OR
Courthouse Square, Vashon Island, WA
Davidson, Czeisler, Kilpatrick & Gardner, Kirkland, WA
ERA Care, University House at Wallingford, Seattle, WA
Federal Courthouse, Judge Sharp Memorial, General Services Administration, Seattle, WA
Gateway Park, Kirkland, WA
Gerding Edlen, Portland, OR
Golden Umbrella Award, One Reel, Seattle, WA
Hallie Ford Museum of Art, Wilamette Uniersity Salem, OR
Heller Ehrman Law Firm, New York, NY
Hines Development Corporation, One Twelfth @ Twelfth Office Building, Bellevue, WA
Jacob Lawrence Golden Umbrella Award, One Reel, Seattle, WA
Jewish Family Services, site-specific sculpture, Seattle, WA
Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle, Althea Stroum Award
Kirkland and Ellis, LLP, Palo Alto, CA
Lane Powell Spears Lubersky, LLP, Seattle, WA
McInerney & Baker, Seattle, WA
Meydenbauer Performing Arts Center, Bellevue, WA
Nordstrom Corporation (seven national locations)
Ober Park, Vashon, WA
Oracle Corporation, Redwood Shores, CA
Paccar Corporation, Bellevue, WA
Pilchuck Glass School, Hauberg Memorial, Stanwood, WA
Plaza at Yarrow Bay, Kirkland, WA
Red Rock Hotel, Las Vegas, NV
Runnymede Sculpture Farm, Woodside, CA
Seattle University School of Law, Dean’s Office, Seattle, WA
Sellen Construction Corporate Office, Seattle, WA
Shafer Vineyard, site-specific sculpture, Napa, CA
St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, baptismal font, altar, candleholders, Seattle, WA
Suncadia Resort, Suncadia Trail: Roslyn’s History in 14 Sculptures, Roslyn, WA
Swedish Hospital, Seattle, WA
Swedish Medical Center/Issaquah Campus, Issaquah Highlands, WA
Swedish Orthopedic Institute, site-specific sculpture, Seattle, WA
Tacoma Art Museum, Tacoma, WA, Permanent Collection
United States Embassies Collection, three embassies
University of Washington, Paul G. Allen Center for Computer Science and Engineering, Alberg Terrace, Seattle, WA
Ventana Vineyards, private wine label, Monterey, CA
YWCA Opportunity Place, Seattle, WA
Zymogenetics, Seattle, WA
