Blek le Rat

Florence Aubenas Silkscreen Print by Shepard Fairey- OBEY x Blek le Rat Hand-Pulled on Fine Art Paper Limited Edition Pop Street Art Artwork. 2008 Signed by Shepard Fairey & Blek le Rat, Numbered Limited Edition of 100 Artwork Size 18x24 Silkscreen Print Shepard Fairey x Blek le Rat Florence Aubenas Silkscreen Print 2008 The 2008 Florence Aubenas silkscreen print represents a rare collaboration between American street artist Shepard Fairey, known as OBEY, and French stencil pioneer Blek le Rat. Measuring 18 x 24 inches, this hand-pulled silkscreen was produced in a signed and numbered limited edition of only 100. Each print bears the signatures of both artists, cementing its importance as a cross-generational dialogue within Street Pop Art & Graffiti Artwork. The subject, French journalist Florence Aubenas, was abducted and held hostage in Iraq in 2005, making the work a powerful symbol of resilience and the role of art in amplifying human rights issues. Imagery and Symbolism The print merges Shepard Fairey’s graphic, politically charged style with Blek le Rat’s classic stencil approach. Set against the backdrop of Place Saint-Michel in Paris, the work integrates photography and stencil to create a layered street-inspired composition. Aubenas is portrayed standing calmly, her figure rendered in stark black stencil against the stone wall, evoking Blek le Rat’s street interventions. This contrasts with the detailed urban surroundings captured in Fairey’s silkscreen process, creating a tension between the permanence of historical architecture and the urgency of contemporary political struggle. The placement of the figure beneath the street sign grounds the work firmly in Paris, while also symbolizing the global reach of her story. Collaboration Between Icons Blek le Rat, born Xavier Prou in France in 1951, is regarded as one of the founders of stencil graffiti, influencing generations of street artists worldwide, including Banksy. Shepard Fairey, born in Charleston, South Carolina in 1970, rose to prominence through his OBEY campaign and politically charged works such as the Hope poster of Barack Obama. Their collaboration on Florence Aubenas brought together two distinct but complementary approaches: Blek’s commitment to the power of direct stencil imagery in public space and Fairey’s graphic design-driven activism. The result is a work that resonates both as a political statement and as a landmark in the history of street art. Political Resonance and Artistic Legacy This silkscreen print underscores how art can become a tool of awareness and advocacy. By immortalizing Florence Aubenas in their visual language, Fairey and Blek le Rat highlight the risks faced by journalists working in conflict zones and the importance of freedom of expression. With its limited edition size, dual signatures, and thematic depth, the Florence Aubenas print is considered a significant collector’s piece, not only for fans of Shepard Fairey and Blek le Rat but also for those who recognize the importance of socially engaged art. It remains a striking example of how Street Pop Art & Graffiti Artwork can transcend aesthetics to confront urgent political realities.

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The Man Who Walks Through Walls AP Artist Proof Silkscreen Print by Shepard Fairey- OBEY x Blek le Rat Hand-Pulled on Fine Art Paper Limited Edition Pop Street Art Artwork. AP Artist Proof 2008 Signed by Shepard Fairey & Blek le Rat & Marked AP, Limited Edition Artwork Size 18x24 Silkscreen Print. Shepard Fairey x Blek le Rat The Man Who Walks Through Walls AP Silkscreen Print 2008 The 2008 The Man Who Walks Through Walls AP Artist Proof silkscreen print is a rare collaboration between Shepard Fairey, internationally recognized as OBEY, and stencil pioneer Blek le Rat. Hand-pulled on fine art paper and measuring 18 x 24 inches, this limited edition Artist Proof was signed by both artists and marked “AP,” distinguishing it from the standard numbered edition of 100. As an Artist Proof, it holds particular value among collectors of Street Pop Art & Graffiti Artwork, symbolizing both artistic experimentation and the direct approval of the creators. Imagery and Urban Context The composition combines stark stencil work with a heavily graffitied wall, embedding the artwork within the raw energy of urban life. At the center, a suited man carries bags labeled with text, positioned alongside a goat, while a police officer passes in the foreground. To the right, a telephone booth punctuates the scene, grounding the work in the everyday architecture of the city. The layering of graffiti tags, political scrawls, and the surreal juxtaposition of figures evoke themes of consumerism, authority, and rebellion. The suited figure in particular hints at urban alienation, while the presence of the goat and booth adds absurdity, making the composition at once humorous and sharply critical. Collaboration Between Shepard Fairey and Blek le Rat Blek le Rat, born Xavier Prou in 1951 in France, is widely credited as the father of stencil graffiti, bringing social commentary directly into the streets of Paris beginning in the 1980s. Shepard Fairey, born in 1970 in Charleston, South Carolina, built his reputation through his OBEY sticker campaign and politically engaged prints, including the Hope poster of Barack Obama. Their collaborative works, such as The Man Who Walks Through Walls, highlight a shared belief in the role of public art as a platform for protest and dialogue. The merging of Fairey’s graphic sensibilities with Blek’s direct stencil approach emphasizes the continuity between two generations of politically minded street artists. Rarity and Significance of the Artist Proof The Artist Proof edition carries special weight within the print world, typically produced in very small quantities and often retained by the artists. Signed by both Shepard Fairey and Blek le Rat and marked AP, this print holds heightened collectible value and authenticity. Beyond rarity, its imagery and collaborative nature underscore the strength of street art as a vehicle for political and cultural critique. The Man Who Walks Through Walls AP silkscreen print is not just a fine art object but also a vivid statement on urban culture, consumerism, and resistance, making it a defining example within the history of Street Pop Art & Graffiti Artwork.

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Florence Aubenas AP Artist Proof Silkscreen Print by Shepard Fairey- OBEY x Blek le Rat Hand-Pulled on Fine Art Paper Limited Edition Pop Street Art Artwork. AP Artist Proof 2008 Signed by Shepard Fairey & Blek le Rat & Marked AP, Limited Edition Artwork Size 18x24 Silkscreen Print Shepard Fairey x Blek le Rat Florence Aubenas AP Silkscreen Print 2008 The Florence Aubenas AP Artist Proof silkscreen print from 2008 is a powerful collaborative work by Shepard Fairey, known globally as OBEY, and French stencil art pioneer Blek le Rat. Measuring 18 x 24 inches, this hand-pulled silkscreen on fine art paper exists in an extremely rare Artist Proof edition, each marked “AP” and signed by both artists. Beyond its rarity, the subject matter and dual authorship make it one of the most politically and historically significant works within Street Pop Art & Graffiti Artwork. Subject and Symbolism The work features a portrait of Florence Aubenas, the French journalist abducted in Iraq in 2005 and later released after months in captivity. She is depicted standing calmly against the wall of Place Saint-Michel in Paris, her figure stenciled in stark black and white, contrasting with the detailed urban setting. This juxtaposition symbolizes both her resilience and the precarious realities faced by journalists in war zones. By situating her image in a familiar Parisian context, the print speaks to both the local and international dimensions of her story, grounding a global political issue in a recognizable urban landscape. Collaboration Between Generations Blek le Rat, born Xavier Prou in France in 1951, is widely acknowledged as one of the founders of stencil graffiti, with a career that began in the streets of Paris in the early 1980s. Shepard Fairey, born in 1970 in Charleston, South Carolina, rose to prominence through his OBEY campaign and later works addressing political and social justice issues. Their joint creation of Florence Aubenas bridges the gap between the origins of stencil graffiti in Europe and the evolution of politically driven street art in the United States. The collaboration highlights a shared commitment to using art as a form of activism and public awareness. Artist Proof Rarity and Legacy Artist Proofs, typically reserved for artists and collaborators outside of the standard numbered edition, carry heightened value due to their scarcity and direct connection to the creators. With dual signatures and the AP designation, this edition of Florence Aubenas stands apart as a rare collector’s item. More than a collectible, however, the print underscores how street art can amplify pressing social issues, using public imagery and fine art techniques to spark dialogue. The Florence Aubenas AP silkscreen remains a landmark example of Street Pop Art & Graffiti Artwork where artistic expression, political urgency, and historical moment converge.

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David with Machine Gun Silkscreen Print by Shepard Fairey- OBEY x Blek le Rat Hand-Pulled on Fine Art Paper Limited Edition Pop Street Art Artwork. 2008 Signed by Shepard Fairey & Blek le Rat, Numbered Limited Edition of 100 Artwork Size 18x24 Silkscreen Print Shepard Fairey x Blek le Rat David with Machine Gun Silkscreen Print 2008 The 2008 David with Machine Gun silkscreen print is a collaborative edition created by Shepard Fairey, known as OBEY, and French stencil art pioneer Blek le Rat. Hand-pulled on fine art paper and produced in a signed and numbered edition of 100, this 18 x 24 inch print merges the strengths of two iconic street artists across generations. Both signatures on each print elevate it to an important collector’s piece within Street Pop Art & Graffiti Artwork, highlighting not only a striking image but also the historical significance of the collaboration itself. Imagery and Commentary The print features a reinterpretation of Michelangelo’s classical sculpture David, here transformed into a provocative figure holding a machine gun. The juxtaposition of the Renaissance ideal of human beauty and form with the stark brutality of a modern weapon serves as a sharp critique of war, violence, and the distortion of cultural ideals. By placing David in a gritty, graffiti-covered urban environment, the work questions how art and society repurpose historic symbols to address contemporary anxieties. This powerful reimagining reflects both Blek le Rat’s tradition of stencil interventions in public spaces and Shepard Fairey’s skill at repurposing cultural icons into tools for social commentary. Collaborative Significance Blek le Rat, born Xavier Prou in France in 1951, is celebrated as one of the earliest and most influential stencil graffiti artists. Shepard Fairey, born in Charleston, South Carolina in 1970, became internationally known for his OBEY campaign and his later political works, including the Barack Obama Hope poster. Together, they bridge the early roots of European stencil art with the graphic and politically driven evolution of American street pop art. Their joint works, such as David with Machine Gun, serve as cultural dialogues between two eras, reinforcing the continuity of street art as a platform for protest and public discourse. Political Resonance and Collector Value David with Machine Gun functions as a visual protest, reworking an image of purity, youth, and beauty into a statement about the corruption of ideals through militarization and violence. The collaboration underscores both artists’ shared commitment to making politically engaged art accessible to broad audiences. With its limited edition of only 100, dual signatures, and thematic strength, the print has become a significant and sought-after work for collectors. It captures the way Street Pop Art & Graffiti Artwork can take familiar imagery and transform it into a searing critique of the modern world, cementing its role as both cultural artifact and fine art object.

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David with Machine Gun AP Artist Proof Silkscreen Print by Shepard Fairey- OBEY x Blek le Rat Hand-Pulled on Fine Art Paper Limited Edition Pop Street Art Artwork. AP Artist Proof 2008 Signed by Shepard Fairey & Blek le Rat & Marked AP, Limited Edition Artwork Size 18x24 Silkscreen Print. Shepard Fairey x Blek le Rat David with Machine Gun AP Silkscreen Print 2008 The David with Machine Gun AP Artist Proof silkscreen print from 2008 is a rare collaborative work created by Shepard Fairey, widely known as OBEY, and stencil art pioneer Blek le Rat. Hand-pulled on fine art paper and measuring 18 x 24 inches, this Artist Proof edition is signed by both artists and marked “AP,” distinguishing it from the standard numbered release of 100. Artist Proofs carry additional significance within the art world due to their limited availability and direct association with the artists’ approval process, making this piece especially sought after by collectors of Street Pop Art & Graffiti Artwork. Imagery and Symbolic Tension This print features Michelangelo’s classical David, a symbol of Renaissance ideals of beauty, youth, and heroism, reimagined with a modern twist: he holds a machine gun. The stark juxtaposition between timeless humanist ideals and contemporary instruments of war creates a powerful critique of violence and the ways cultural icons are repurposed to reflect current anxieties. Set against a graffiti-covered urban backdrop, the figure embodies the collision between high art traditions and street-level social commentary. The work challenges viewers to consider how ideals of strength and beauty are corrupted when reframed within the context of militarization. Collaboration Across Generations Blek le Rat, born Xavier Prou in France in 1951, is often credited as the father of stencil graffiti, influencing countless artists with his Paris-based interventions since the 1980s. Shepard Fairey, born in 1970 in Charleston, South Carolina, rose to prominence through his OBEY campaign and politically resonant prints, later achieving international acclaim with his Hope poster of Barack Obama. Their joint creation of David with Machine Gun demonstrates how two generations of artists from different cultural backgrounds can merge their practices to create a unified message. It serves as both homage to classical art and a critique of the modern world. Rarity and Collectible Importance Artist Proof editions such as this one are rarer than the main run, typically reserved for the artists themselves or for key collaborators. Marked “AP” and carrying the signatures of both Fairey and Blek le Rat, this print embodies both historical and artistic value. Beyond its scarcity, the work is a striking representation of how street artists reinterpret cultural symbols to confront pressing issues like war and societal decay. The David with Machine Gun AP silkscreen stands as a prime example of the fusion of fine art history and modern protest through the visual language of Street Pop Art & Graffiti Artwork.

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