Shepard Fairey (Obey)
  • Biography
  • Artworks
  • Studio
  • Movements

Shepard Fairey (Obey)

United States • 1970  6064 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 June 2025, Shepard Fairey unveiled a monumental mural on the façade of the Hôtel de Ville in Paris as part of the exhibition “From Paris to Belém: 10 Years of Global Action for the Climate,” commemorating the Paris Agreement. Featuring his trademark red, blue, and cream tones with powerful slogans like “Respect Earth” and “Resist Unite,” the work reinforces his commitment to environmental and political causes. This high-visibility project, combining activism and large-scale public art, further cements his appeal among collectors, institutions, and art lovers seeking pieces with both visual strength and civic impact.

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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Print, Zapata (Teal), Shepard Fairey (Obey)

Shepard Fairey (Obey)

Print - 61 x 46 x 1 cm Print - 24 x 18.1 x 0.4 inch

CHF 381

Print, The Greed Depression, Shepard Fairey (Obey)

Shepard Fairey (Obey)

Print - 61 x 46 x 0.2 cm Print - 24 x 18.1 x 0.1 inch

CHF 439

Print, Warning Sign, Shepard Fairey (Obey)

Shepard Fairey (Obey)

Print - 61 x 46 cm Print - 24 x 18.1 inch

CHF 244

Print, Parks for Everyone, Shepard Fairey (Obey)

Shepard Fairey (Obey)

Print - 61 x 46 cm Print - 24 x 18.1 inch

CHF 244

Print, Sub-Standard, Shepard Fairey (Obey)

Shepard Fairey (Obey)

Print - 61 x 30.5 cm Print - 24 x 12 inch

CHF 181

Print, Green power factory - Red, Shepard Fairey (Obey)

Shepard Fairey (Obey)

Print - 61 x 46 x 0.2 cm Print - 24 x 18.1 x 0.1 inch

CHF 390

Print, Radiant Lotus, Shepard Fairey (Obey)

Shepard Fairey (Obey)

Print - 61 x 61 x 0.2 cm Print - 24 x 24 x 0.1 inch

CHF 487

Print, Rose Soldier, Shepard Fairey (Obey)

Shepard Fairey (Obey)

Print - 33 x 25.4 x 0.2 cm Print - 13 x 10 x 0.1 inch

CHF 439

Print, Factory stacks (earth first), Shepard Fairey (Obey)

Shepard Fairey (Obey)

Print - 61 x 46 x 0.2 cm Print - 24 x 18.1 x 0.1 inch

CHF 366

Print, Eyes on the king verdict, Shepard Fairey (Obey)

Shepard Fairey (Obey)

Print - 61 x 46 x 0.1 cm Print - 24 x 18.1 x 0 inch

CHF 283

Print, Andy Gill anti-hero, Shepard Fairey (Obey)

Shepard Fairey (Obey)

Print - 61 x 46 x 0.2 cm Print - 24 x 18.1 x 0.1 inch

CHF 342

Print, Suburban Pressure, Shepard Fairey (Obey)

Shepard Fairey (Obey)

Print - 61 x 46 x 0.2 cm Print - 24 x 18.1 x 0.1 inch

CHF 439

Print, Glass Houses, Shepard Fairey (Obey)

Shepard Fairey (Obey)

Print - 61 x 46 x 0.2 cm Print - 24 x 18.1 x 0.1 inch

CHF 487

Print, Confrontation, Shepard Fairey (Obey)

Shepard Fairey (Obey)

Print - 48.26 x 40.64 x 0.1 cm Print - 19 x 16 x 0 inch

CHF 390

Print, Debbie Harry Destiny, Shepard Fairey (Obey)

Shepard Fairey (Obey)

Print - 43 x 33 x 1 cm Print - 16.9 x 13 x 0.4 inch

CHF 487

Print, Obey with caution, Shepard Fairey (Obey)

Shepard Fairey (Obey)

Print - 33 x 25.4 x 0.1 cm Print - 13 x 10 x 0 inch

CHF 439

Print, Conformity Trance Red, Shepard Fairey (Obey)

Shepard Fairey (Obey)

Print - 61 x 46 x 1 cm Print - 24 x 18.1 x 0.4 inch

CHF 415

Print, Conformity Trance Black, Shepard Fairey (Obey)

Shepard Fairey (Obey)

Print - 61 x 46 x 1 cm Print - 24 x 18.1 x 0.4 inch

CHF 415

Print, Chuck Dee: Fight The Power, Shepard Fairey (Obey)

Shepard Fairey (Obey)

Print - 61 x 46 x 1 cm Print - 24 x 18.1 x 0.4 inch

CHF 390

Print, Sedation Of Millions, Shepard Fairey (Obey)

Shepard Fairey (Obey)

Print - 61 x 46 x 1 cm Print - 24 x 18.1 x 0.4 inch

CHF 487

Print, Woody Guthrie Centennial, Shepard Fairey (Obey)

Shepard Fairey (Obey)

Print - 61 x 46 x 1 cm Print - 24 x 18.1 x 0.4 inch

CHF 415

Print, Obey Script (Dance Floor Riot), Shepard Fairey (Obey)

Shepard Fairey (Obey)

Print - 30 x 30 x 1 cm Print - 11.8 x 11.8 x 0.4 inch

CHF 195

Print, Cold Lampin', Shepard Fairey (Obey)

Shepard Fairey (Obey)

Print - 30 x 30 x 1 cm Print - 11.8 x 11.8 x 0.4 inch

CHF 195

Print, Noise, Shepard Fairey (Obey)

Shepard Fairey (Obey)

Print - 46 x 45 x 1 cm Print - 18.1 x 17.7 x 0.4 inch

CHF 342

Print, Black Earth Society, Shepard Fairey (Obey)

Shepard Fairey (Obey)

Print - 61 x 91 cm Print - 24 x 35.8 inch

CHF 351

Print, Obey Disco (Dance Floor Riot), Shepard Fairey (Obey)

Shepard Fairey (Obey)

Print - 30 x 30 x 1 cm Print - 11.8 x 11.8 x 0.4 inch

CHF 166

Print, Search & Destroy, Shepard Fairey (Obey)

Shepard Fairey (Obey)

Print - 30 x 30 x 1 cm Print - 11.8 x 11.8 x 0.4 inch

CHF 244

Print, Champion Sounds, Shepard Fairey (Obey)

Shepard Fairey (Obey)

Print - 30 x 30 x 1 cm Print - 11.8 x 11.8 x 0.4 inch

CHF 244

Print, No More Lies, Shepard Fairey (Obey)

Shepard Fairey (Obey)

Print - 30 x 30 x 1 cm Print - 11.8 x 11.8 x 0.4 inch

CHF 244

Print, Peace and Freedom, Shepard Fairey (Obey)

Shepard Fairey (Obey)

Print - 30 x 30 x 1 cm Print - 11.8 x 11.8 x 0.4 inch

CHF 244

Print, Tested Performance, Shepard Fairey (Obey)

Shepard Fairey (Obey)

Print - 30 x 30 x 1 cm Print - 11.8 x 11.8 x 0.4 inch

CHF 244

Print, Sunset As The Fall Approaches, Shepard Fairey (Obey)

Shepard Fairey (Obey)

Print - 46 x 61 cm Print - 18.1 x 24 inch

CHF 390

Print, The Black Widows, Shepard Fairey (Obey)

Shepard Fairey (Obey)

Print - 30 x 30 x 1 cm Print - 11.8 x 11.8 x 0.4 inch

CHF 273

Print, Joy, Shepard Fairey (Obey)

Joy

Shepard Fairey (Obey)

Print - 30 x 30 x 1 cm Print - 11.8 x 11.8 x 0.4 inch

CHF 244

Print, Obey Transformer, Shepard Fairey (Obey)

Shepard Fairey (Obey)

Print - 30 x 30 x 1 cm Print - 11.8 x 11.8 x 0.4 inch

CHF 176

Print, Hi-Fi Lotus, Shepard Fairey (Obey)

Shepard Fairey (Obey)

Print - 30 x 30 x 1 cm Print - 11.8 x 11.8 x 0.4 inch

CHF 244

Print, Crescent, Shepard Fairey (Obey)

Shepard Fairey (Obey)

Print - 30 x 30 x 1 cm Print - 11.8 x 11.8 x 0.4 inch

CHF 176

Print, Ghost Of War, Shepard Fairey (Obey)

Shepard Fairey (Obey)

Print - 30 x 30 x 1 cm Print - 11.8 x 11.8 x 0.4 inch

CHF 244

Print, Sonic Thrills, Shepard Fairey (Obey)

Shepard Fairey (Obey)

Print - 30 x 30 x 1 cm Print - 11.8 x 11.8 x 0.4 inch

CHF 176

Print, Specials (Dance Floor Riot), Shepard Fairey (Obey)

Shepard Fairey (Obey)

Print - 30 x 30 x 1 cm Print - 11.8 x 11.8 x 0.4 inch

CHF 244

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Need to know more?
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.