Artwork Description
Putin’s Ashes Pussy Riot Silkscreen Print by Shepard Fairey- OBEY Hand-Pulled Screen Print on Cream Speckletone Fine Art Paper Limited Edition Pop Street Art Artwork.
2023 Signed & Numbered Limited Edition of 450 Artwork Size 18x24 Silkscreen Print of Pussy Riot Woman in Mask With Vladimir Putin From Russia
"I have admired Pussy Riot and Nadya Tolokonnikova since I first saw their visually and sonically fierce performances, methods of protest, and messages of social justice. I’ve wanted to collaborate with Nadya and Pussy Riot for years because of our shared belief that art and performance are powerful tools of social change. Pussy Riot has been subjected to Putin’s brutality and methods of oppression firsthand, so their comments on Putin and the invasion of Ukraine are especially relevant. Putin’s Ashes is a beautiful, haunting, evocative video and music piece. In working on a visual for Nadya’s show at Jeffrey Deitch Gallery, I illustrated from video stills and imagery that Nadya provided in an attempt to encapsulate the powerful aesthetics of Pussy Riot and the narrative of the music video piece. I’m honored to collaborate with Nadya, who I think is one of the most fearless, articulate, and outspoken multi-media artists and activists working today." -Shepard Fairey
In the realm of pop art, street art, and graffiti, the 2023 signed and numbered limited edition silkscreen print, titled "Putin’s Ashes," captures the essence of activism and social justice through powerful imagery. Created by renowned artist Shepard Fairey, known for his iconic OBEY campaign and artistic expressions of political dissent, this artwork is a homage to the Russian punk protest group Pussy Riot and their fearless leader Nadya Tolokonnikova. Fairey's admiration for Pussy Riot's visually and sonically fierce performances, along with their unwavering commitment to social change, is evident in this piece. Drawing inspiration from the group's music video, "Putin’s Ashes," which denounces Vladimir Putin's oppression and the invasion of Ukraine, the silkscreen print portrays a woman wearing a mask in defiance of authority, standing resolute in the face of adversity. The limited edition print, hand-pulled on cream Speckletone fine art paper, measures 18x24, adding to its collectible allure. With only 450 copies in existence, the artwork holds a significant place in contemporary pop art culture. Nadya Tolokonnikova's collaboration with Shepard Fairey is a perfect union of like-minded activists who believe in the transformative power of art and performance. Both artists share the conviction that their work can be a potent tool for challenging societal norms and fostering change. Fairey's meticulous attention to detail, derived from video stills and imagery provided by Nadya, captures the raw aesthetics and narrative of Pussy Riot's music video, translating it into a visual medium that echoes their powerful message. The artwork's theme is poignantly relevant, considering Pussy Riot's firsthand experience with Putin's oppressive tactics. This print serves as a poignant reminder of the group's resilience in the face of brutal suppression and their unyielding commitment to speaking truth to power through their art. "Putin’s Ashes" is not only a striking piece of pop street art but also a testament to the impact that art can have on society. Through this limited edition silkscreen print, Shepard Fairey and Pussy Riot continue to inspire and provoke conversations about the role of art in shaping a more just and equitable world.
