Shepard Fairey's Eyes Open (2021) is an offset lithograph on cream speckletone paper, showcasing his signature blend of graphic design and socio-political messaging. The artwork features a red rose blooming from a globe, symbolizing awareness and the need for vigilance. The words EYES OPEN are prominently displayed in bold, red letters, encased within the globe, and beneath it, the word OBEY reinforces Fairey's call for critical thinking against conformity. The use of strong lines and a limited palette of red, black, and greenish-gray highlights the stark, bold style reminiscent of propaganda posters. This piece urges viewers to remain conscious and observant in the face of societal and political influences.
Shepard Fairey (USA, 1970) is a contemporary street artist and graphic designer, best known for his iconic Obey Giant campaign and the Hope poster for Barack Obama. Merging bold graphics with political messages, his work critiques power, consumerism, and social issues.
LithographLithography is a printing method based on the principle that water and oil do not mix. It can be used to print artwork or text onto paper or other suitable materials. Traditionally, an image was drawn with wax, fat, or oil onto a lithographic limestone surface or plate. Today, metal plates and other surfaces are also used in lithographic printing.
Shepard Fairey's Eyes Open (2021) is an offset lithograph on cream speckletone paper, showcasing his signature blend of graphic design and socio-political messaging. The artwork features a red rose blooming from a globe, symbolizing awareness and the need for vigilance. The words EYES OPEN are prominently displayed in bold, red letters, encased within the globe, and beneath it, the word OBEY reinforces Fairey's call for critical thinking against conformity. The use of strong lines and a limited palette of red, black, and greenish-gray highlights the stark, bold style reminiscent of propaganda posters. This piece urges viewers to remain conscious and observant in the face of societal and political influences.
Shepard Fairey (USA, 1970) is a contemporary street artist and graphic designer, best known for his iconic Obey Giant campaign and the Hope poster for Barack Obama. Merging bold graphics with political messages, his work critiques power, consumerism, and social issues.
Street art, of course, is political, because it's illegal; so the very act of doing it is an act of defiance.
- Shepard Fairey
Shepard Fairey (b. 1970 USA) is an American contemporary artist, activist, and founder of OBEY Clothing, known for his distinctive style that blendsstreet art, graphic design, and political commentary. Fairey rose to prominence with his "Andre the Giant Has a Posse" sticker campaign in the late 1980s, which evolved into the iconic "OBEY" series, reflecting his exploration of propaganda, power, and control. He is perhaps best known for his "HOPE" poster created during Barack Obama's 2008 presidential campaign, which became a symbol of the era. Fairey’s work, which spans murals, posters, and fine art, is characterized by its bold use of color, imagery, and typography, often addressing themes of social justice, environmentalism, and anti-authoritarianism. His contributions have significantly shaped the visual language of contemporary activism and have made him one of the most influential figures in modern street art. (Artist website)
Activist Art is a form of art created to address social and political issues. It often involves public engagement and works closely with communities to raise awareness or inspire change. While it can include elements of performance art, it is not limited to this form. Examples include creating and distributing social protest posters or organizing community-based art projects that highlight specific causes.