Add Fuel

Modular Silkscreen Print by Add Fuel x Shepard Fairey- OBEY Hand-Pulled on Cream Speckletone Fine Art Paper Limited Edition Artwork Obey Pop Culture Artist. 2022 Signed & Numbered Limited Edition of 500 Artwork Size 18x24 Silkscreen Print "Diogo Machado aka ADD FUEL’s art functions on several levels literally and metaphorically. His pieces master the aesthetics of traditional Portuguese tile work while adding his own playful character illustrations subversively woven into the designs. These two seemingly disparate styles are so elegantly blended together that discovering the oddity within the harmony is both bizarre and joyful. The actual and faux rips ADD FUEL incorporates into his art are more than just a nod to paper, the common material of modern street art, they’re also a provocative bit of visual dissonance since tiles don’t rip. Despite the incongruity of tiles and rips, ADD FUEL’s visually seductive compositions evoke a sense of time passed and a story behind each layer." -Shepard Fairey- OBEY In the sphere of contemporary art, the collaborative silkscreen print by Add Fuel and Shepard Fairey represents a unique fusion of traditional motifs and modern sensibilities. This limited edition piece, restricted to a run of 500 and signed and numbered by the artists, is a striking example of pop culture artistry on a cream speckletone fine art paper, measuring 18x24 inches. Created in 2022, this 5-color hand-pulled print showcases the distinct styles of both artists, marrying the classical aesthetic of Portuguese tile design with the urban edge of graffiti art. Diogo Machado, who operates under the alias Add Fuel, reimagines the conventional ceramic tile as a canvas for street art. His contribution to this print is distinguished by the intricate simulation of traditional tile patterns, interspersed with his characteristic playful characters that add a layer of whimsy and critique. The interplay of these detailed designs with Shepard Fairey's iconic Obey imagery lends the work a complex, layered narrative. Fairey, a luminary in the street art movement, brings his bold graphics and propagandistic flair to the collaboration, creating a visual dialogue between past and present artistic expressions. The print's allure is amplified by the intentional 'rips' trailing its surface. This clever trompe l'oeil effect disrupts the tilework's permanence with the ephemeral nature of paper, a staple medium for street artists. These artificial tears challenge viewers' perceptions, hinting at the transient nature of art and commentary on the fragility of cultural heritage. As Fairey noted, the juxtaposition of durable ceramic and tearable paper forms a compelling contrast that is visually arresting and conceptually profound. This artwork transcends the boundaries of its medium, inviting contemplation on the evolution of artistic expression and the enduring impact of cultural symbols. In this union of Add Fuel's meticulous craftsmanship and Shepard Fairey's aggressive style, a new narrative emerges, one that celebrates both individual creativity and the collective memory encapsulated within traditional art forms.

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