Artwork Description
Cream & Blue Sedation in Bloom Silkscreen Print by Shepard Fairey- OBEY Hand-Pulled on Cream Speckletone Fine Art Paper Limited Edition Artwork Obey Pop Culture Artist.
2021 Signed by Shepard Fairey- OBEY & Numbered Limited Edition of 150 Artwork Size 18x24 Sedation in Bloom Silkscreen Print Series.
"I originally worked on this poppy pattern art as part of my collaboration with artist Gordon Cheung. In our piece, we addressed the tragic murder of Vincent Chin and the historical use of anti-Asian imagery and symbols in Western culture. The poppy is a beautiful flower with many symbolic interpretations, including peace, death, sleep, and sedation. I often weave floral and decorative patterns into my art to draw viewers in and make challenging concepts more digestible. However, decorative appeal can sedate people and distract them from more important social issues. Whether in entertainment, alcohol, drugs, or conspicuous consumption, I think sedation is a major cause of social and political complacency and ignorance. These Sedation In Bloom prints serve the dual purpose of a decorative escape and a reminder to stay awake and aware!" -Shepard Fairey- OBEY.
Cream & Blue Sedation in Bloom: Reflecting on Society Through Street Pop Art
The Cream & Blue Sedation in Bloom silkscreen print by Shepard Fairey, an iconic figure in the street pop art and graffiti artwork realm, stands as a thought-provoking piece that goes beyond mere aesthetic pleasure. Fairey, born as Frank Shepard Fairey on February 15, 1970, in Charleston, South Carolina, USA, has carved a niche for himself with works that often reflect a blend of political activism and artistry. This particular artwork, a part of the Sedation in Bloom series, is no exception. Hand-pulled on cream speckletone fine art paper, the Cream & Blue Sedation in Bloom is a limited edition artwork, with each piece signed and numbered by Fairey himself. The size of the artwork, 18x24 inches, offers a substantial canvas for the expression of intricate and symbolic imagery. Limited to an edition of 150, these prints capture the exclusive nature of Fairey's work.
The Symbolism of Poppies in Fairey's Visual Language
The motif of the poppy in this series carries rich symbolic interpretations, ranging from peace to death, and from sleep to sedation. Fairey's choice of the poppy is deliberate and multifaceted; it is not only about creating a pleasing visual but also about the underlying message it conveys. The interplay of the serene blue on cream reflects a tranquil aesthetic, yet the poppies' association with sedation challenges the viewer to look deeper into the societal implications of the artwork. Fairey’s work is a commentary on the complacency and ignorance that he perceives as pervasive in society. The seductive nature of entertainment, alcohol, drugs, and material excess serves as a means to sedate the masses, distracting them from social and political engagement. Through the Cream & Blue Sedation in Bloom print, Fairey juxtaposes the allure of the poppies with a call to consciousness, urging the viewer to stay awake and aware amid societal distractions.
Artistic Collaboration and Social Commentary
The inception of this poppy pattern art arose from Fairey's collaboration with Gordon Cheung, where the duo addressed the harrowing murder of Vincent Chin and the use of anti-Asian motifs in Western culture. By incorporating these themes into his street pop art, Fairey elevates the conversation from street-level discourse to a wider socio-political dialogue. The prints serve as a decorative escape, yet they double as a potent reminder of the importance of staying alert to the world's inequities and injustices. Shepard Fairey's Cream & Blue Sedation in Bloom is a striking example of how street pop art can be a powerful medium for social critique. As viewers engage with the harmonious color scheme and the delicate floral patterns, they are also confronted with the societal urge to remain vigilant. Through this series, Fairey reiterates his belief in the capacity of art to ignite change, to unsettle the comfortable, and to provoke a reawakening of social consciousness. The artwork symbolizes the dual role of art in modern culture: as an object of beauty and as a catalyst for awareness and action.
