Artwork Description
Revolution in our Time Silkscreen Print by Shepard Fairey- OBEY Hand-Pulled 5-Color on Cream Speckletone Fine Art Paper Limited Edition Artwork Obey Pop Culture Artist.
2020 Signed & Numbered Limited Edition of 500 Artwork Size 18x24 Silkscreen Print
"Oct 1 is the 70th anniversary of Communist Party rule in China and the Chinese government is planning an extravaganza of choreographed contentment in the mainland while the people of Hong Kong will hit the streets in an effort to secure their rights. I’ve long believed that protests in the streets are an essential tool for meaningful change because the passion, courage, and visceral force of the participants in a mass protest send a powerful message that they are fully committed to their cause! Ed Nachtrieb photographed many incredible moments of the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests. I’m honored to collaborate with Ed on a set of two images based on his documentation 30 years ago, especially because pro-democracy and human-rights protesters are in the streets of Hong Kong right now! This image “Long Live The People” will be released as a print soon… more details to come. Check out Ed Nachtrieb’s thoughts on the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests." -Shepard Fairey- OBEY
"After the People’s Liberation Army was sent in to suppress what is now called the “pro-democracy movement” on June 4, 1989, there was a liberalization of economic rules and policies. China then experienced a remarkable economic transformation. The idea: if people could get rich, they wouldn’t care so much about their freedoms. I think that’s a miscalculation. In Hong Kong today, ideas championed in 1989 have reappeared in a “Revolution of Our Time” in spite of the campaign to erase such “counter-revolutionary” thoughts from history. My images used in these prints are from energetic and optimistic moments of the pro-democracy movement. Victory was in the air. Progress seemed inevitable to those with arms outstretched and smiles beaming from their faces. Shepard’s work reflects their hopes and aspirations. The same ones that fortified those protesters in 1989 are now fuel for the passionate idealists on the streets today." -Edward Nachtrieb
Shepard Fairey's "Revolution in Our Time" silkscreen print is a compelling narrative connecting past and present struggles for democracy and human rights. This piece, released in 2020, commemorates the 70th anniversary of Communist Party rule in China, juxtaposing the state's celebrations with the unyielding spirit of protest in Hong Kong. Fairey's collaboration with photographer Ed Nachtrieb is particularly significant, as it draws on images captured during the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests, thereby linking historical acts of resistance to contemporary movements. The artwork is a hand-pulled, 5-color print on cream speckletone fine art paper. With its size of 18x24 inches, the piece commands attention, demanding consideration not just as a visual expression but as a statement of solidarity. The edition is limited to 550 signed and numbered prints, making each a tangible artifact of political artistry. Fairey's design is charged with symbols of peace and resilience, as evidenced by the dove and the raised hand, iconic gestures of defiance and hope. Fairey is known for his stance that street protests are a crucial mechanism for social change, and this belief is visually encoded in the print. His art is not passive; it is an active participant in the dialogue around civil liberties and the collective voice of the people. "Revolution in Our Time" does more than commemorate an event; it propels the message of protest into the future, encouraging a reflection on the nature of authority and the power of the people's will. This limited edition print captures the essence of Shepard Fairey's approach to art as a form of rebellion and communication. It speaks to a universal yearning for freedom and justice, transcending borders and historical moments to unite viewers in a common cause. The work stands as a beacon to civic engagement's enduring relevance and visual art's impact in mobilizing and inspiring change within societies.
