Shepard Fairey

Shepard Fairey is an American graphic artist, muralist, activist and founder of OBEY Clothing, influential within street art and skateboarding culture. Born in 1970 in Charleston, South Carolina, Fairey studied illustration at the Rhode Island School of Design, where he developed an interest in art that combined pop culture, politics and social commentary.

Fairey first gained widespread recognition in 1989 with his ‘Andre the Giant Has a Posse’ sticker campaign. What began as a simple, subversive act of placing stickers featuring the image of the wrestler Andre the Giant around Providence, Rhode Island, grew into a global phenomenon. This campaign eventually evolved into the creation of the ‘Obey Giant’ campaign, replicated by a network of collaborators around the world. Fairey intended to inspire a movement that questions authority and challenges societal norms.

Shepard Fairey is known for his propaganda-style imagery combined with bold typography and a limited colour palette, often featuring red, black, and cream. His work draws inspiration from various sources, including Soviet-era propaganda, punk rock and graffiti. Fairey’s posters and murals often address social and political issues, advocating for peace, environmentalism and human rights.

Fairey’s iconic ’Hope’ poster, created for Barack Obama’s 2008 presidential campaign became a symbol of the campaign and a powerful piece of political art. Fairey is deeply interested in exploring the intersection between propaganda and portraiture. Other subjects who have appeared in his works include political figures such as Mao Zedong, Malcolm X, and artists like Ai Weiwei and Jean-Michel Basquiat. In 2014 Fairey painted a mural in Johannesburg in honour of Nelson Mandela and the 25th anniversary of the Purple Rain Protest.

Fairey’s influence extends beyond street art. He has collaborated with brands like Hublot and Mattel, as well as within the music industry, designing album covers and posters. Shepard Fairey’s work continues to be celebrated in galleries and public spaces around the world, making him one of the most influential contemporary artists of his generation. His ability to blend art, activism and commercial design has left a lasting mark on both the art world and popular culture.