United States
• 1970
6035 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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Freedom to Lead (Aung San Suu Kyi)
Shepard Fairey (Obey)
Print - 61 x 46 x 0.1 cm Print - 24 x 18.1 x 0 inch
$1,073
Paul McCartney NYC Change Begins Within
Shepard Fairey (Obey)
Print - 61 x 46 cm Print - 24 x 18.1 inch
$834
Bob Dylan A Hard Rain’s A-Gonna Fall
Shepard Fairey (Obey)
Print - 61 x 46 cm Print - 24 x 18.1 inch
$417
The Woman Who Defeated Pain (Frida Khalo)
Shepard Fairey (Obey)
Painting - 60.96 x 45.72 x 6 cm Painting - 24 x 18 x 2.4 inch
$9,656
The woman who defeated pain (Frida Khalo)
Shepard Fairey (Obey)
Print - 61 x 46 x 0.5 cm Print - 24 x 18.1 x 0.2 inch
$1,419
Muhammad Ali (Large format)
Shepard Fairey (Obey)
Print - 105 x 76 x 0.3 cm Print - 41.3 x 29.9 x 0.1 inch
$3,517
Demagogue / Trump / Franz Ferdinand
Shepard Fairey (Obey)
Print - 61 x 46 cm Print - 24 x 18.1 inch
$1,776
Third Eye Open Letterpress
Shepard Fairey (Obey)
Print - 51 x 36 x 0.1 cm Print - 20.1 x 14.2 x 0 inch
$536
Reggae sound system
Shepard Fairey (Obey)
Print - 30 x 30 x 0.1 cm Print - 11.8 x 11.8 x 0 inch
$417
Defend Dignity HPM
Shepard Fairey (Obey)
Painting - 104 x 76 x 1 cm Painting - 40.9 x 29.9 x 0.4 inch
$28,492
Rose Shackle
Shepard Fairey (Obey)
Painting - 68 x 53 x 0.4 cm Painting - 26.8 x 20.9 x 0.2 inch
$10,133
Peace Fingers Geometric
Shepard Fairey (Obey)
Painting - 68 x 53 x 0.4 cm Painting - 26.8 x 20.9 x 0.2 inch
$10,133
Bird stamp blue
Shepard Fairey (Obey)
Painting - 91.44 x 91.44 x 2 cm Painting - 36 x 36 x 0.8 inch
$31,591
Guns and Roses (Large format)
Shepard Fairey (Obey)
Print - 105 x 76 cm Print - 41.3 x 29.9 inch
$5,365
Raise The Level HPM 4/6
Shepard Fairey (Obey)
Painting - 61 x 91 cm Painting - 24 x 35.8 inch
$14,902
Unity - Obey Flower
Shepard Fairey (Obey)
Print - 74 x 74 x 0.1 cm Print - 29.1 x 29.1 x 0 inch
$1,431
Protect The Blue Planet
Shepard Fairey (Obey)
Print - 61 x 46 x 0.5 cm Print - 24 x 18.1 x 0.2 inch
$1,180
The Tranquility of Solitude (Paul Weller)
Shepard Fairey (Obey)
Print - 61 x 46 x 0.2 cm Print - 24 x 18.1 x 0.1 inch
$417
Studio of Shepard Fairey (Obey)
Exhibitions dedicated to Shepard Fairey (Obey)
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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.