Artwork Description
Desmond Tutu AP Silkscreen Print by Shepard Fairey- OBEY x Michael Collopy Hand-Pulled Color on Cream Speckletone Fine Art Paper Limited Edition Artwork Obey Pop Culture Artist Proof.
AP Artist Proof 2022 Signed by Shepard Fairey- OBEY & Marked AP Limited Edition Artwork Size 18x24 Silkscreen Print of Desmond Tutu South African Bishop and Theologian.
"This portrait of anti-apartheid and pro-human rights activist Archbishop Desmond Tutu is my 2nd collaboration with photographer Michael Collopy Archbishop Tutu embraced non-violence as he strove to end apartheid and discrimination against women in South Africa. I deeply admire Arch Tutu’s philosophy, courage, and powerful communication skills. The below testimonial from Michael Collopy illuminates Tutu’s character beautifully." -Shepard Fairey
Desmond Tutu AP Silkscreen Print by Shepard Fairey and Michael Collopy
The Desmond Tutu AP Silkscreen Print created by Shepard Fairey in 2022 is a profound example of how Street Pop Art & Graffiti Artwork can be used to elevate human rights and spiritual leadership. The portrait is based on a photograph taken by American photographer Michael Collopy, known for his powerful black-and-white portraits of world figures dedicated to peace and justice. This print was issued as an AP Artist Proof and hand-signed by Shepard Fairey on cream speckletone fine art paper. It measures 18 by 24 inches and forms part of Fairey's expanding body of work that engages directly with social justice, political resistance, and international peace movements. The collaboration between Fairey and Collopy was first introduced with a mural and print of Nelson Mandela in Johannesburg and continues here with a tribute to Archbishop Desmond Tutu.
Visual Power in the Language of Protest and Dignity
Fairey's visual interpretation of Desmond Tutu is filled with layered symbolism and bold graphic design. Dominated by shades of blue, black, and cream, the work integrates Tutu’s contemplative gaze with symbolic references to South Africa’s flag and anti-apartheid struggle. Text elements flank the composition, including phrases that echo Tutu's bold stance on confronting injustice. The layout draws from Fairey’s background in street poster campaigns, where visual impact and legibility are key. Collopy’s original photograph captures the moral seriousness of Tutu’s expression, while Fairey’s print style recontextualizes the image into a piece of public memory that transcends the gallery wall. This synthesis of photojournalism and graffiti design emphasizes the dignity and defiance of a global figure who stood firm against segregation, inequality, and oppression.
Legacy of Anti-Apartheid Activism Through Street Pop Art & Graffiti Artwork
Archbishop Desmond Tutu of South Africa, who died in 2021, was not only a spiritual leader but a fearless opponent of apartheid and racial injustice. His leadership in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, as well as his advocacy for women’s rights and LGBTQ+ inclusion within faith communities, made him a unifying figure of moral clarity. By featuring Tutu in this limited edition print, Fairey adds another figure to his Street Pop Art & Graffiti Artwork canon that includes icons like Angela Davis, Nelson Mandela, and Dolores Huerta. The use of graffiti-adjacent aesthetics for this tribute speaks to how activism and art converge in public space to influence hearts and minds.
Collaboration Rooted in Photographic Documentation and Graffiti Iconography
The collaboration between Shepard Fairey and Michael Collopy reflects the power of cross-medium influence. While Collopy brings the emotional intimacy of portrait photography, Fairey infuses that essence with visual urgency and graphic symbolism drawn from his years in street campaigns and protest art. Their shared effort in immortalizing Desmond Tutu reinforces how Street Pop Art & Graffiti Artwork can function not just as aesthetic practice but as a tool of cultural preservation. The artist proof edition underscores the rare and collectible nature of this print, which functions as both an homage and a political statement. By placing a globally respected spiritual leader in the visual language of resistance, this work ensures that Desmond Tutu’s values remain visible in contemporary culture.
