Artwork Description
Ian Curtis Heart and Soul Silkscreen Print by Shepard Fairey- OBEY Hand-Pulled 3-Color on Cream Speckletone Fine Art Paper Limited Edition Artwork Obey Pop Culture Artist.
2023 Signed & Numbered Limited Edition of 500 Artwork Size 18x24 Silkscreen Print
"I first discovered Joy Division through my friend Jay Haley in 1985-86. Jay was a little more open-minded than I was, so he was listening to aggressive punk and hardcore, but also, more moody music like The Smiths, The Cure, early Cult, and Joy Division. I initially liked some of Joy Division’s melodies, but I generally found the music a bit cold, sparse, and haunting on the verge of depressing. However, the music grew on me over time and the qualities I just described as liabilities became assets. As I grew out of my punk rock orthodoxy phase I realized no band sounded quite like Joy Division. My love of Joy Division has only grown over the years along with my appreciation for their imagery. Joy Division’s image of elegant austerity is often connected to their artwork by Peter Saville, but a lot of credit should go to Kevin Cumminsfor his noir portraits of the band. I’ve loved Cummin’s photography for years, so I was delighted when he agreed to collaborate on a portrait of Ian Curtis, Joy Division’s singer who took his own life in 1980 at 23. Curtis was a unique singer but also a powerful lyricist, so the lyrics to the song Heart and Soul are woven through the art along with an angular divide through Curtis’s figure symbolizing the tension between heart and soul. Since Kevin actually knew Ian, I appreciated that he would allow me to interpret his iconic photo!" -Shepard Fairey- OBEY
Shepard Fairey's "Ian Curtis Heart and Soul" silkscreen print is a powerful tribute to the enigmatic Joy Division frontman and his profound impact on music and visual culture. Released in 2023, this limited edition print encapsulates Fairey's deep personal connection to Curtis and the band's enduring legacy. The artwork, sized at 18x24 inches and limited to a series of 500, is meticulously hand-pulled, showcasing three colors on cream speckletone fine art paper, underscoring the raw and textured essence of the subject matter. Fairey's engagement with Joy Division's work began in the mid-1980s, a time marked by a musical awakening as he transitioned from a strict punk perspective to a broader appreciation of the haunting, sad sounds that defined Joy Division's discography. Fairey candidly discusses how the initial perception of the music as 'cold and haunting' eventually morphed into an understanding of its depth and uniqueness, revealing a narrative of personal and artistic growth. Integral to this print is Fairey's collaboration with Kevin Cummins, a photographer renowned for his poignant portraits of Joy Division, which have significantly shaped the band's visual narrative. The decision to weave the lyrics of "Heart and Soul" into the fabric of the portrait is both a literal and figurative intertwining of Curtis's lyrical genius with his visual representation. This design choice also hints at the complexities of Curtis's personal struggles, echoed in the stark contrast that bisects his figure in the artwork—a poignant reminder of the internal discord between passion and reason, emotion and intellect. Fairey's print is not merely a visual piece but a narrative collage that pays homage to the artistic influence and legacy of Ian Curtis. By embedding the soul-stirring lyrics of "Heart and Soul" within the artwork, Fairey invites viewers to engage with the piece on multiple levels: aesthetically, emotionally, and intellectually. The print transcends mere representation, becoming a conduit for the artist's reverence for Curtis's talents as a singer and lyricist and the enduring impact of Joy Division on music and popular culture, ensuring that the heart and soul of Ian Curtis's artistry continue to resonate through time.
