Shepard Fairey- OBEY

Occupy Protester A.P. 2-Color Hand-Pulled Limited Edition Silkscreen Print on Fine Speckletone Art Paper by Shepard Fairey, Rare Street Art OBEY Pop Artwork Artist. A.P. Artist Proof 2012 Signed & Numbered Occupy Protester, 2012 Screenprint in colors on speckled cream paper 24 x 18 inches (61 x 45.7 cm) (sheet) A.P. (aside from an edition of 450) Signed, numbered, and dated in pencil along lower edge Published by Obey Giant, Los Angeles. Occupy Wall Street Shepard Fairey's 'Occupy Protester': A Beacon of Street Pop Art and Activism Shepard Fairey's 'Occupy Protester' is a poignant representation of the artist's involvement with the Occupy Wall Street movement and his continuous impact on street pop art and graffiti artwork. As an artist-proof (A.P.), this 2012 silkscreen print in colors on speckled cream paper was apart from the main edition of 450, enhancing its rarity and desirability among collectors and enthusiasts of the genre. Measuring 24 x 18 inches, the print is significant not only for its artistic merit but also for its strong political message. The 'Occupy Protester' features a figure wrapped in a scarf, with only the eyes visible, set against a backdrop of bold red and black stripes. This image is striking and filled with emotion, reflecting the intensity and urgency of the Occupy movement. The number "99%" prominently displayed in the artwork resonates with the movement's message, which protested against economic inequality and the disproportionate power of the wealthiest 1% of the population. Fairey's choice of speckle-tone paper adds an organic feel to the work, suggesting the grassroots nature of the protests. Cultural and Political Impact of Fairey's Work Shepard Fairey has long been an artist who uses his work to comment on social and political issues. 'Occupy Protester' continues this tradition, embodying the spirit of resistance and the call for change that defined the early 2010s. Published by Obey Giant, Los Angeles, the print serves as a historical document of the time, encapsulating the widespread feelings and sentiments among the participants of the Occupy Wall Street movement. Fairey's ability to communicate powerful messages through his art has solidified his position as a pivotal figure in the street pop art movement. The legacy of 'Occupy Protester' extends beyond its initial release. As a piece of street pop art, it has been instrumental in demonstrating the potential of art to influence public discourse and act as a catalyst for social change. The artist’s signature and numbering along the lower edge of the print serve as a reminder of the personal commitment and the voice of the artist behind the work. It is a testament to Fairey's dedication to his craft and his unwavering support for movements that seek to challenge the status quo. Legacy of 'Occupy Protester' in Street Art Shepard Fairey's 'Occupy Protester' is more than just a piece of art; it symbolizes a pivotal moment in contemporary history. It represents the synergy between art and activism and how street pop art can transcend traditional canvases to become a part of the collective consciousness. As an A.P. screenprint, it holds a special place in the chronicles of street art, signifying a moment when art and the artist stepped out of the shadows and into the arena of political activism. The print remains a powerful piece of visual communication, reflecting the ethos of a movement that sought to redefine power and privilege in the modern world.

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Tom Dula Black AP Artist Proof Silkscreen Print by Shepard Fairey- OBEY Hand-Pulled on Cream Speckletone Fine Art Paper Limited Edition Artwork Obey Pop Culture Artist. AP Artist Proof 2012 Signed & Marked AP Limited Edition Artwork Size 18x24 Silkscreen Print—Lonesome Tree Stylized Old Gnarled Tree in Western Desert Setting. Thomas C. Dula was a former Confederate soldier who was convicted of murdering Laura Foster, based on a song made famous by Kingston Trio. Shepard Fairey Tom Dula Black AP 2012 Silkscreen Print Shepard Fairey, born Frank Shepard Fairey in the United States, created the Tom Dula Black silkscreen print in 2012 as part of his ongoing exploration of American folklore and historical narrative within Street Pop Art & Graffiti Artwork. This Artist Proof edition is signed and marked AP, distinguishing it from the standard numbered run and identifying it as part of a smaller subset traditionally reserved by the artist. The hand-pulled silkscreen measures 18 x 24 inches and is printed on cream Speckletone fine art paper, a textured stock frequently used in Obey editions for its archival strength and vintage character. The work references the story of Thomas C. Dula, a former Confederate soldier convicted in 1866 for the murder of Laura Foster, a case later embedded in American folk music through a ballad popularized in the twentieth century by The Kingston Trio. Fairey’s interpretation situates this narrative within a broader visual examination of justice, myth, and cultural memory. Lonesome Tree Imagery in Street Pop Art & Graffiti Artwork The composition centers on a stark, leafless tree rendered in bold black linework against layered red and gold tonal gradients. The gnarled branches stretch outward across a desert-like landscape, while intricate ornamental textures and faded imagery subtly emerge in the background. A rope hangs from one branch, symbolizing the historical implications of execution without overt depiction. The word Lonesome appears at the base, reinforcing the solitary and reflective tone of the image. Fairey’s use of distressed overlays and decorative patterning echoes vintage poster design while maintaining the graphic clarity associated with Street Pop Art & Graffiti Artwork. The restrained yet intense palette of crimson, ochre, and black heightens the emotional atmosphere and connects the work to Fairey’s broader visual language rooted in propaganda-inspired composition. Artist Proof Significance and Obey Historical Commentary Artist Proof editions carry particular importance in fine art printmaking, often representing early or reserved impressions from the print run and carrying enhanced collectibility. Within Street Pop Art & Graffiti Artwork, such AP markings underscore craftsmanship and direct artist involvement. The Tom Dula Black variant demonstrates how Fairey adapts a nineteenth-century American crime narrative into a contemporary silkscreen format, using symbolic landscape imagery rather than portraiture to communicate the story’s gravity. By merging archival textures, disciplined hand-pulled production, and culturally loaded symbolism, this 2012 Obey print stands as a thoughtful example of how Street Pop Art & Graffiti Artwork can reinterpret historical events through bold yet contemplative graphic storytelling.

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The Lonesome Crowded West Apt Block Modest Mouse Silkscreen Print by Shepard Fairey- OBEY Hand-Pulled 5-Color on Cream Speckletone Fine Art Paper Limited Edition Artwork Obey Pop Culture Artist. 2022 Signed & Numbered Limited Edition of 825 Artwork Size 18x24 Silkscreen Print Apartment Block Urban City Building Stylized. "I’m really happy that Modest Mouse asked me to create some limited edition posters for their tour commemorating the 25th anniversary of their 1997 album The Lonesome Crowded West. I first heard Modest Mouse in 1998. I borrowed a friend’s copy of the album The Lonesome Crowded West, which had come out the year before, and it grew on me quickly to become a favorite. The whole album is great, very multi-dimensional ranging from aggressive and dissonant on songs like “Teeth Like God’s Shoeshine” to folky, jangly, and intimate on “Trailer Trash.” My two favorite songs on The Lonesome Crowded West are “Doin’ the Cockroach,” which builds steadily into an exhilarating staccato guitar frenzy, and the song that follows it, “Cowboy Dan,” which is full of tension, struggle, anger, and beauty. Lyrically, the band’s singer and primary songwriter, Isaac Brock, comes across as an empathetic world-weary sage. I rarely call someone a poet, but Isaac wrote with such depth for someone only 23 years old that I think poet is the only title that properly conveys his elevated craft as a lyricist. I got to do Modest Mouse’s 2000 Black Glass tour poster, which was a huge deal for me." -Shepard Fairey- OBEY In the pantheon of street art, few names are as synonymous with the movement's thrust into mainstream culture as Shepard Fairey. His collaboration with the band Modest Mouse for their tour poster celebrates a milestone—the 25th anniversary of their seminal album, "The Lonesome Crowded West." In true Fairey fashion, he interprets the album's ethos with a limited edition silkscreen print, meticulously hand-pulled with five colors on Cream Speckletone fine art paper. This process ensures each of the 825 pieces is imbued with the artist's personal touch. Measuring 18x24 inches, this signed and numbered print presents an apartment block—an urban icon that exemplifies the crowded isolation in the album's title. Fairey's stylized depiction of the apartment block resonates with the band’s exploration of the paradoxical loneliness of urban existence, embodying the spirit of Modest Mouse's music through visual art. His work is not merely an artistic rendition but a narrative of city life's juxtapositions—connectivity and isolation, sound and silence. This collaboration is particularly significant for Fairey, who has been a fan of Modest Mouse since 1998. The album left an indelible mark on him, with its tonal shifts from the raucous "Teeth Like God's Shoeshine" to the more subdued "Trailer Trash." Fairey extols Isaac Brock's songwriting, acknowledging the profound depth and poetic nature of his lyrics, especially considering Brock's youth. The two tracks that stood out to Fairey, "Doin' the Cockroach" and "Cowboy Dan," exemplify the album's range and Brock's lyrical prowess. Fairey's history with Modest Mouse dates back to the 2000 "Black Glass" tour poster, reinforcing his long-standing connection with the band. This print is another chapter in that narrative, solidifying the kinship between his visual art and their musical expression. The artwork is a tangible piece of pop culture history, intertwining the legacy of Fairey's street art with Modest Mouse's contribution to music. Collectors of Fairey’s work and fans of the band alike cherish this print as a symbol of the enduring relevance of "The Lonesome Crowded West" and the power of art to transcend mediums, capturing the essence of an era.

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