Artwork Description
Black Sabbath Silver Black Crescent Silkscreen Print by Shepard Fairey- OBEY Hand-Pulled on Cream Speckletone Fine Art Paper Limited Edition Artwork Obey Pop Culture Artist.
2013 Signed & Numbered Limited Edition of 125 Artwork Size 18x24 Silkscreen Print of Metal Roc n' Roll Music Band Black Sabbath Featuring Ozzy Osbourne.
"Black Sabbath has been one of my favorite bands for 25 years. I was fortunate to meet Jack Osbourne through my friend Big Dave in 2000. My relationship with Jack and Big Dave has led to several great Ozzy and Sabbath projects. One of my biggest “I’m not worthy!” moments occurred when Dave took me backstage to meet the Sabbath guys in 2004 at Ozzfest, and bassist and lyricist Geezer Butler was wearing an Obey shirt! Sabbath is still a phenomenal live band, and I’m incredibly honored to do my second(the first was in 2005) Sabbath/Obey tour poster. Sabbath released a great new record called “13” recently(produced by Rick Rubin) and are touring in support of the album." -Shepard Fairey- OBEY.
Shepard Fairey's Interpretation of Black Sabbath's Legacy
In 2013, Fairey, inspired by Black Sabbath's influence on his life and art, created a limited edition silkscreen print to commemorate the band's U.S.A. tour. This signed and numbered edition, limited to 125 pieces and sized at 18x24 inches, became an emblem of Black Sabbath's enduring impact on rock music and a collectible piece of street pop art. The artwork, hand-pulled on cream speckletone fine art paper, features iconic Black Sabbath symbols, such as the cross and the winged disc, alongside Fairey's signature style, which often includes elements like the star and the stylized imagery of the eye. The fusion of street pop art with music often manifests in gig posters, a medium that Shepard Fairey, known widely for his OBEY brand, has mastered with a distinctive style that resonates deeply within the pop culture landscape. His work for the iconic metal rock n' roll music band Black Sabbath, particularly the silver and black crescent silkscreen print, encapsulates the essence of the artist's and the band's legacies. The significance of Fairey's Black Sabbath artwork lies in its ability to bridge music's auditory experience with art's visual stimulus. The print does not merely represent the band; it evokes the rebellious spirit of Black Sabbath's music, the dark and mystical themes they explore, and the cultural movement they spearheaded within the heavy metal genre. Fairey's artistic trademarks, such as the word 'obey,' infuses the piece with a sense of authority and provocation that complements the band's ethos.
Collectibility and Influence in the Art World
Fairey's anecdote about meeting the band and finding Geezer Butler wearing an OBEY shirt is a testament to the reciprocal influence between artist and musician. It underlines how street pop art and music often come full circle, with artists influencing musicians and vice versa. The print is a celebration of the band's return with the album "13" and a nod to the historical relationship between the artist and Black Sabbath. It is this narrative that imbues the artwork with a personal touch, making it a profound statement within the realms of both pop culture and street art. As a collectible, the Black Sabbath silkscreen print by Shepard Fairey stands at the intersection of music memorabilia and fine art. Its scarcity and the reputation of its creator heighten its value not only in monetary terms but also as a cultural artifact. Collectors and fans seek such pieces for their aesthetic appeal and their ability to capture a moment in history, a period where music and street pop art intertwine to create a tangible representation of a musical era. In the broader spectrum of street pop art and graffiti artwork, Shepard Fairey's Black Sabbath print represents the genre's potential to transcend the streets and enter into the world of high art and collector's items. The piece, with its intricate design work and deep cultural connections, stands as a testament to the power of visual art to celebrate and immortalize the spirit of music.
