Artwork Description
Shoplifters Welcome Large Format Red Black Silver Silkscreen Print by Shepard Fairey- OBEY x Jamie Reid Hand-Pulled Screen Print on Cream Speckletone Art Paper Limited Edition Pop Street Art Artwork.
2012 Signed & Numbered Limited Edition of 50 Artwork Size 26x34.5 Created to Commemorate Reid's Ragged Kingdom Exhibition, March 16 to April 14, 2012. Shows a Hand Removing Laws From A Brief Case Infering Wall Street Money Regulations.
"Jamie has been one of my biggest influences, and I'm honored that we worked on some collaborative images for the show. The new images deal with the mutual interests of Jamie and I, addressing the timeless problems of corruption and wealth inequality, but tie into the current themes of Occupy Wall Street and the dead end of fossil fuel consumption." -Shepard Fairey.
Shepard Fairey and Jamie Reid: Art as Social Commentary
In collaboration with Jamie Reid, the "Shoplifters Welcome Silkscreen Print" by Shepard Fairey is a powerful example of how street pop art and graffiti artwork can encapsulate and critique social and economic issues. This piece, a limited edition print, was created for the "Ragged Kingdom" exhibition from March 16 to April 14, 2012. It has become a significant work in street art for its bold political statement. The artwork depicts a hand removing a document labeled "MONEY" from a briefcase, a visual representation of deregulation, particularly within the context of Wall Street. This act is set against an offer for 'shoplifters,' a satirical nod to the notion that the financial elite operates under a different set of rules than the average person. The print's striking use of the phrase "THIS DECADE ONLY!" further emphasizes the timely nature of the message, suggesting a window of opportunity for unchecked financial behavior.
Art Reflecting the Times: Occupy Wall Street and Beyond
Shepard Fairey's statement about the collaboration with Jamie Reid highlights their shared focus on corruption and wealth inequality themes, notably echoed by the Occupy Wall Street movement. The movement, which started in 2011, brought widespread attention to these issues, and Fairey and Reid's work provided a visual commentary that resonated with the public sentiment of the time. The artwork not only represents the artists' perspectives but also serves as a historical marker of the socio-economic climate of the early 2010s. The "Shoplifters Welcome" print is a prime example of how street pop art and graffiti artwork can transcend the boundaries of traditional art by directly engaging with social commentary. Fairey, known for his provocative approach, and Reid, with his history of punk aesthetic, combine their styles to create a piece that is as aggressive as it is artistic. The limited edition nature of the print, signed and numbered by Fairey, adds to its allure as a collectible item, even as it challenges the structures of economic power. In creating this print, Fairey and Reid employ the aesthetic of propaganda, utilizing bold colors and stark contrasts to draw attention to their message. The choice of silkscreen printing, a technique closely associated with street art due to its mass production capabilities, further ties the work to the grassroots nature of its messages. It is a medium that allows the artwork to be disseminated widely, mirroring the spread of ideas central to movements like Occupy Wall Street. The "Shoplifters Welcome" print is a testament to the enduring power and relevance of street pop art and graffiti artwork in contemporary discourse. It is a reminder that art can be an intelligent tool for social critique, reflecting the issues of its time and prompting conversations that can lead to change. Through their collaborative efforts, Fairey and Reid have created more than just a visual piece; they have crafted a narrative that challenges viewers to consider the imagery's deeper implications and question the status quo.
