Obey: The Art of Shepard Fairey

A visual and conceptual journey through the 35-year career of one of the most influential and internationally acclaimed street artists

On the occasion of 35 years of Shepard Fairey’s (Obey) career, this monograph presents a body of work that is among the most representative of his artistic production, together with numerous unique pieces conceived especially for the occasion. The sections of the book are inspired by the most representative themes of Shepard Fairey’s art: propaganda; peace and justice; environment; music and new works.

Shepard Fairey (Charleston, 1970) is the artist behind Obey. Known for the HOPE poster, a portrait of Barack Obama for the 2008 presidential campaign, Obey is distinguished by an essential and bold style with a minimalist palette guided by the hip hop and punk cultures that taught the artist to question social conventions. This is the poetics with which Fairey animates all of his works, inviting the audience to question on relevant current issues.

About the Authors:

Shepard Fairey is an American contemporary street artist, graphic designer, activist, and illustrator who emerged from the skateboarding scene. He earned a bachelor of fine arts in illustration from Rhode Island School of Design in 1992. He is best known for his Barack Obama “Hope” poster, which he created in support of the 2008 presidential campaign. His work has been included in the collections of several museums, including the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C.; the Los Angeles County Museum of Art; the Museum of Modern Art, New York; and the Victoria and Albert Museum, London.

Giuseppe Pizzuto is curator and director of Wunderkammern Gallery.