Artwork Description
Red & Cream Sedation in Bloom Silkscreen Print by Shepard Fairey- OBEY Hand-Pulled on Cream Speckletone Fine Art Paper Limited Edition Artwork Obey Pop Culture Artist.
2021 Signed by Shepard Fairey- OBEY & Numbered Limited Edition of 150 Artwork Size 18x24 Sedation in Bloom Silkscreen Print Series.
"I originally worked on this poppy pattern art as part of my collaboration with artist Gordon Cheung. In our piece, we addressed the tragic murder of Vincent Chin and the historical use of anti-Asian imagery and symbols in Western culture. The poppy is a beautiful flower with many symbolic interpretations, including peace, death, sleep, and sedation. I often weave floral and decorative patterns into my art to draw viewers in and make challenging concepts more digestible. However, decorative appeal can sedate people and distract them from more important social issues. Whether in entertainment, alcohol, drugs, or conspicuous consumption, I think sedation is a major cause of social and political complacency and ignorance. These Sedation In Bloom prints serve the dual purpose of a decorative escape and a reminder to stay awake and aware!" -Shepard Fairey- OBEY.
Sedation in Bloom: A Convergence of Beauty and Consciousness in Street Pop Art
Shepard Fairey, an American contemporary street artist, graphic designer, activist, illustrator, and founder of OBEY Clothing, has long been a defining figure in the street art movement. Born on February 15, 1970, in Charleston, South Carolina, Fairey's work emerged from the skateboarding scene and has since transcended the confines of street pop art and graffiti artwork to become a recognized global phenomenon.
The Dual Nature of the Poppy in Fairey's Work
Fairey's Sedation in Bloom series represents a nuanced intersection of aesthetics and socio-political commentary. The limited edition silkscreen prints, specifically the Red & Cream Sedation in Bloom, present an intricate poppy pattern against a cream speckle tone fine art paper. Each artwork in this edition of 150 pieces bears Fairey's signature, indicating authenticity and his personal touch. The dimensions of 18x24 inches offer a substantial canvas for the visual interplay of vibrant red against a serene cream backdrop, creating a captivating, visually striking, and symbolically rich contrast. The poppy, a central motif in this series, has many meanings. It is a flower associated with peace and death, and its narcotic properties connect it to sleep and sedation. Fairey manipulates the natural allure of the poppy to entice the viewer, employing its inherent beauty as a vessel for more profound reflection. The paradoxical use of the poppy in his artwork draws attention to the seductive qualities of the very things that lull society into a state of complacency – entertainment, alcohol, drugs, and materialism.
Art as a Vehicle for Social Commentary and Awareness
Fairey's collaboration with British-Chinese artist Gordon Cheung on this series underscores a shared commitment to addressing critical social issues. The poppy pattern, initially conceptualized for their joint piece tackling the tragic murder of Vincent Chin and the historical exploitation of anti-Asian sentiments, transcends its aesthetic value. It becomes a poignant commentary on how seductive imagery and symbols can be utilized to obscure and distract from pressing societal concerns. Fairey's art, notably this silkscreen print series, is not just a decorative artifact; it serves a dual purpose – to offer an escape and simultaneously to act as a wake-up call, urging viewers to remain conscious and engaged with the world around them. The Sedation in Bloom series exemplifies Fairey's philosophy that art should challenge the viewer, not just aesthetically but intellectually and morally. In the tradition of excellent street pop art, these pieces blur the boundaries between high and low culture, between art and activism. Fairey does not merely seek to beautify spaces with his work; he aims to provoke thought and inspire action. The decorative patterns and striking color contrasts are meticulously crafted to draw people in, only to confront them with the underlying message that beauty should not be a sedative but a stimulant for awareness and change. The enduring relevance of Fairey's work lies in its ability to navigate the complex dynamics of visual culture in a society saturated with imagery designed to sell, distract, and sedate. Fairey empowers the public to see beyond the surface and question the status quo by imbuing his street pop art and graffiti artwork with critical discourse. The Red & Cream Sedation in Bloom silkscreen print stands as a testament to the potential of street art to transcend the walls upon which it is placed and to foster a dialogue that extends into the social and political realms. In examining Fairey's contributions through the lens of his Sedation in Bloom series, one observes an artist deeply attuned to the power of imagery in shaping perceptions and behaviors. As an agent of change through visual language, Fairey's work encourages a vigilant and discerning gaze – a call to action for a society often too readily sedated by the opiate of the visually and materially appealing. It is through pieces like Sedation in Bloom that Fairey's voice resonates, imploring viewers to awaken from their slumber and engage with the pressing issues of our time.
