William De White (born September 4, 1951), better known as Guy Juke, is an Austin, Texas–based graphic artist and musician. As a poster artist he created memorable imagery for nightclubs such as Armadillo World Headquarters and was one of the 'Armadillo Art Squad'. His work is recognized for its blocky, sharp-edged figures on angular, geometric settings. Often darkly detailed, his work include shadowy and angular figures inspired by horror films, haunting western landscapes, and loopy cartoon characters.

Personal life

Guy Juke was born in San Angelo, Texas on September 4, 1951. Early on his father recognized his son's natural artistic talent and encouraged him by providing him with private art lessons.

Juke gave up his formal art training to join a commune in his hometown.

After moving to Austin in late 1972 he became Guy Juke.

Juke (De White) married Doris Eleanor Bickley (from Corpus Christi) January 1985. Bickley, also an Austin artist, worked mainly in paint and canvas. The two rented loft studios on the top floor of Half Price Books retail store (a former laundry at 16th and Lavaca Austin TX) where the entire building was populated with artists, artisans, dancers and musicians. Bickley worked at one end of the labyrinthal building and Juke at the other end with Sheauxnough Studios and poster artists, Micael Priest, Danny Garret, Bill Narum, Jim Franklin and others on the 16th Street side. He and Bickley divorced in the 90s.

Juke later married Austin musician Jo Carol Pierce. They began their relationship in 1990 while working on a show called “The Wedding at the End of the World”. He was contributing art and she was writing monologues for the show.

Graphic artist

Arriving in Austin Juke began his career writing and illustrating underground comics. Immersing himself in the Austin music scene, particularly the Armadillo World Headquarters, Juke became acquainted with local music poster artists. Soon he began creating concert posters himself.

Juke's cubist bepop styled work is featured as the album cover for Joe Ely's 1980 Live Shots album. He is also credited with the cover art of The Ramones 1981 album Pleasant Dreams. Juke provided cover art for The Austin Chronicle from their beginning. In 2002, the Chronicle chose his Escher-esque self-meditation work for their 21st anniversary's cover.

Video game maker Richard Garriott sought out Armadillo artists and Juke was one of those who responded, helping infuse funky alternative Austin into Garriott's high tech games.

When author and musician Kinky Friedman campaigned for Texas Governor in 2006, Juke designed the campaign logos and posters.

Partial bibliography

  • Visual Thrills Vol. 1: 44 Posters and paintings by Austin artist Guy Juke (Void of Course Publishing Co., Inc.1980)

References

  • guyjuke.net
  • Guy's page at the South Austin Popular Culture Center
  • Armadillo Art Squad page at the South Austin Popular Culture Center