Artwork Description
Get A Job HPM Silkscreen Stencil on Wood by Shepard Fairey- OBEY Hand-Painted Multiple Panel Ready to Hang Street Artist Modern Graffiti Pop Art.
2012 Signed & Numbered Edition of 6 HPM Silkscreen Stencil Print Artwork Size 18x24 on Wood Panel. Framed without glass. Framed Dimensions 25 X 19 Inches.
Shepard Fairey Get A Job HPM Silkscreen Stencil on Wood 2012
The 2012 Get A Job hand-painted multiple by Shepard Fairey, the American artist behind the OBEY name, is a striking fusion of silkscreen stencil work and hand-applied detailing on a wood panel. Measuring 18 x 24 inches, this piece forms part of an extremely limited edition of only six, each signed and numbered by the artist. Known for his politically charged, socially conscious imagery, Fairey uses the visual language of propaganda posters to deliver a biting commentary on labor, authority, and societal expectations, here reframed through the lens of Street Pop Art & Graffiti Artwork.
Propaganda-Inspired Composition
The central figure in the artwork points directly outward, recalling iconic recruitment poster imagery, but the directive here is satirically altered to read “I Want You to Get a Job.” This layered messaging both mimics and critiques the authoritative tone of historic propaganda, drawing attention to the commodification of work and the pressures of productivity. The composition is infused with radiating golden rays against a dominant red background, with two strong, uniformed workers flanking the scene, reinforcing the militaristic aesthetic while heightening the visual impact.
Technique and Materiality
This work is not a standard print but a hand-painted multiple, meaning each panel is individually worked on by the artist, resulting in subtle variations across the edition. The use of wood as a base surface adds warmth, texture, and durability, contrasting with the crispness of the silkscreen stencil application. Fairey’s layering of paint and stencil work produces depth and complexity, with areas of intentional distress and imperfection that enhance the street-art authenticity. The absence of glass in the framing invites closer inspection of the texture and the tactile qualities of the wood grain beneath the paint.
Shepard Fairey’s Cultural Commentary
Born in 1970 in Charleston, South Carolina, Shepard Fairey emerged from the skateboarding scene with his OBEY sticker campaign before becoming a central figure in contemporary political street art. His works frequently challenge power structures, media influence, and consumer culture. In Get A Job, Fairey uses the aesthetics of socialist realism and wartime propaganda to deliver a layered critique of modern labor dynamics, while maintaining the bold graphic style that has made his work internationally recognizable. With its combination of rare edition size, mixed media execution, and socially pointed message, this piece is a powerful example of Fairey’s ability to merge visual seduction with political provocation in the sphere of Street Pop Art & Graffiti Artwork.
