United States
• 1970
6052 followers
I think that art has the ability to capture people's imaginations and make them think that more is possible.
Biography
Shepard Fairey, aka Obey, is an American street artist and graphic designer born in 1970 in Charleston, United States. Passionate about graphic design since the age of 14, he began by creating designs for t-shirts and skateboards. Influenced by Andy Warhol and Alexander Rodchenko, he quickly turned to artistic studies.
In the late 1980s, with friends from the Rhode Island School of Design, he launched a viral sticker and poster campaign using the image of wrestler André the Giant. Stuck clandestinely in major American cities, these works marked the history of contemporary street art and demonstrated the power of this new form of artistic expression.
Shepard Fairey rose to worldwide fame in 2008 with his iconic HOPE poster, created for Barack Obama, which became a symbol of the presidential campaign. In 2024, he renewed his political commitment by creating the "Forward" poster, in support of Kamala Harris. Inspired by HOPE, this work was used as murals in several key states to encourage voter mobilization. In 2021, Shepard Fairey reimagined Marianne, the symbol of the French Republic, blending street art and political commentary in a powerful tribute to liberty.
Despite legal controversies over intellectual property, Shepard Fairey continues to exhibit his works in the greatest contemporary art museums. In 2022, he created a monumental fresco in Munich, in collaboration with the Department of Art and Culture, to promote renewable energy.
Still active, Shepard Fairey proves that street art is a powerful tool for social and political change, combining art, activism and engagement.
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The birdsong project
Shepard Fairey (Obey)
Print - 61 x 46 x 0.2 cm Print - 24 x 18.1 x 0.1 inch
€400
Bliss at the cliff’s edge
Shepard Fairey (Obey)
Print - 61 x 46 x 0.2 cm Print - 24 x 18.1 x 0.1 inch
€450
Water Tower 1/3 (Metal)
Shepard Fairey (Obey)
Painting - 61.3 x 45.7 x 1 cm Painting - 24.1 x 18 x 0.4 inch
€7,900
Sunset as the fall approaches
Shepard Fairey (Obey)
Print - 46 x 61 x 0.2 cm Print - 18.1 x 24 x 0.1 inch
€420
Cultivate Harmony
Shepard Fairey (Obey)
Print - 60.96 x 30.48 x 0.1 cm Print - 24 x 12 x 0 inch
€400
Eyes Of The King Verdict
Shepard Fairey (Obey)
Print - 61 x 46 x 0.2 cm Print - 24 x 18.1 x 0.1 inch
€350
Paint it black 4/6
Shepard Fairey (Obey)
Painting - 62 x 46 x 3 cm Painting - 24.4 x 18.1 x 1.2 inch
€7,750
This Machine (Party At The Moontower)
Shepard Fairey (Obey)
Print - 30 x 30 x 1 cm Print - 11.8 x 11.8 x 0.4 inch
€250
Green Power Factory - Blue
Shepard Fairey (Obey)
Print - 61 x 46 x 0.2 cm Print - 24 x 18.1 x 0.1 inch
€400
Barb Wire Dove - Red
Shepard Fairey (Obey)
Print - 33.02 x 25.4 x 0.2 cm Print - 13 x 10 x 0.1 inch
€450
Barb Wire Dove - Blue
Shepard Fairey (Obey)
Print - 33.02 x 25.4 x 0.2 cm Print - 13 x 10 x 0.1 inch
€450
Factory stacks (endless power)
Shepard Fairey (Obey)
Print - 61 x 46 x 0.2 cm Print - 24 x 18.1 x 0.1 inch
€400
Post Punk Flower - Black
Shepard Fairey (Obey)
Print - 61 x 46 x 0.2 cm Print - 24 x 18.1 x 0.1 inch
€475
People's Discontent
Shepard Fairey (Obey)
Print - 46 x 61 x 0.2 cm Print - 18.1 x 24 x 0.1 inch
€410
The High Cost Of Free Speech
Shepard Fairey (Obey)
Print - 60.96 x 60.96 x 1 cm Print - 24 x 24 x 0.4 inch
€499
Chuck Dee: Fight The Power
Shepard Fairey (Obey)
Print - 61 x 46 x 1 cm Print - 24 x 18.1 x 0.4 inch
€400
Wall Street Public Enemy
Shepard Fairey (Obey)
Print - 61 x 45.5 x 1 cm Print - 24 x 17.9 x 0.4 inch
€15,000
Resurrectionem Ex-Mortuis
Shepard Fairey (Obey)
Print - 17.8 x 17.8 x 0.5 cm Print - 7 x 7 x 0.2 inch
€180
Obey Fist Guitar (Dance Floor Riot)
Shepard Fairey (Obey)
Print - 30 x 30 x 1 cm Print - 11.8 x 11.8 x 0.4 inch
€250
Stereotype (Party At The Moontower)
Shepard Fairey (Obey)
Print - 30 x 30 x 1 cm Print - 11.8 x 11.8 x 0.4 inch
€200
Drum (Party At The Moontower)
Shepard Fairey (Obey)
Print - 30 x 30 x 1 cm Print - 11.8 x 11.8 x 0.4 inch
€200
Lemmy Damaged Case (Motörhead)
Shepard Fairey (Obey)
Print - 61 x 46 x 0.2 cm Print - 24 x 18.1 x 0.1 inch
€480
Blood & Oil Mandala (Blood Drop)
Shepard Fairey (Obey)
Print - 61 x 46 cm Print - 24 x 18.1 inch
€400
Psychedelic Garage (Dance Floor Riot)
Shepard Fairey (Obey)
Print - 30 x 30 x 1 cm Print - 11.8 x 11.8 x 0.4 inch
€300
Perfect Kiss (Dance Floor Riot)
Shepard Fairey (Obey)
Print - 30 x 30 x 1 cm Print - 11.8 x 11.8 x 0.4 inch
€300
Studio of Shepard Fairey (Obey)
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What is Shepard Fairey best known for?
Shepard Fairey is best known for his "Obey Giant" street art campaign and the iconic "Hope" poster created for Barack Obama's 2008 presidential campaign. His work blends graffiti, pop art, and political messaging.
Whose face is on the Obey logo?
The face on the Obey logo is based on André the Giant, a famous French professional wrestler and actor. Street artist Shepard Fairey created the design in 1989, turning André's image into an iconic symbol of street art culture.
What makes Shepard Fairey unique?
Shepard Fairey stands out for blending street art with political activism, notably through his iconic "OBEY" and "HOPE" posters. His bold graphic style and use of propaganda aesthetics make his work instantly recognizable.
What does OBEY mean Shepard Fairey?
OBEY is the iconic street art campaign created by Shepard Fairey in 1989, inspired by the film "They Live." It critiques propaganda, consumerism, and authority, encouraging viewers to question societal messages and power structures.