Artwork Description
Sedation of Millions AP Silkscreen Print by Shepard Fairey- OBEY Artist Proof Hand-Pulled Screen Print on Fine Art Paper Limited Edition Pop Street Art Artwork.
AP Artist Proof 2012 Signed & AP Marked Original Run Limited Edition Artwork Size 18x24 Silkscreen Print of Number 3 in A Gun Target Retnial With Phrase "IT TAKES THE SEDATION OF MILLIONS TO HOLD US BACK."
"The "Sedation Of Millions" print is inspired by the title of my favorite Public Enemy album, "It Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back." I think the biggest problem in America is the indifference and complacency about important issues that result from much of the population being perpetually hypnotized by conspicuous consumption, social media, entertainment, and self-medication. Using sedation and escapism for relief from the rat race might make us less aware(blissfully ignorant) but also less empowered to improve our role within the rat race… a vicious cycle of cause and effect." -Shepard Fairey
The "Millions AP" silkscreen print by Shepard Fairey stands as a profound commentary on contemporary society through the lens of street pop art and graffiti artwork. As an Artist Proof from 2012, signed and marked by Fairey himself, this limited edition piece presents a powerful visual fused with a direct message characteristic of Fairey's thought-provoking style. Sized at 18x24, the print features the image of a gun target retinal, the number 3 prominently placed at its center, overlaid with the bold phrase "IT TAKES THE SEDATION OF MILLIONS TO HOLD US BACK." This artwork resonates with Fairey's ongoing exploration of control, power, and propaganda. The title and the thematic content pay homage to Public Enemy's album "It Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back," channeling the spirit of resistance and the power of voice emblematic of the influential hip-hop group. Fairey's work challenges the viewer to consider the societal implications of complacency and the sedative effects of consumer culture, social media, and entertainment that contribute to a collective indifference toward critical issues. Shepard Fairey, renowned for his OBEY campaign and the iconic Obama "Hope" poster, consistently blurs the lines between fine art and street art, bringing forth discussions that encapsulate the ethos of both genres. The "Millions AP" silkscreen print serves not just as a piece of art but as a call to consciousness, urging a break from the "blissful ignorance" induced by escapism and advocating for empowerment through awareness and action. This work is a visual manifestation of Fairey's critique on the cyclical nature of societal sedation and the importance of awakening from it to enact change within the systems that govern daily life. In the broader scope of street pop art and graffiti, Fairey's "Millions AP" print encapsulates the essence of the medium's capacity to reflect and impact cultural dialogue. It is a testament to the potential of visual art as a medium for social commentary and a marker of the time in which it was created.
