Artwork Description
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.
