Artwork Description
The Future Is Equal AP Silkscreen Print by Shepard Fairey- OBEY Hand-Pulled Color on Cream Speckletone Fine Art Paper Limited Edition Artwork Obey Pop Culture Artist Proof.
AP Artist Proof 2022 Signed by Shepard Fairey- OBEY & Marked AP Limited Edition Artwork Size 18x24 Silkscreen Print
"I grew up at a time when women’s rights were on the rise and it was accepted that the ERA was destined to pass. With 38 states having ratified the ERA, it is time for our leaders to step-up and enact the will of the people by ensuring that the ERA is adopted. It is overdue that gender equality becomes the law of the land. This project resonated with me because the fight for gender equality has always been rooted in social-justice activism and there is still work to be done." -Shepard Fairey
The Future Is Equal AP Silkscreen Print by Shepard Fairey
The Future Is Equal AP Silkscreen Print by Shepard Fairey is a powerful visual statement in the world of Street Pop Art & Graffiti Artwork. Created in 2022 as a hand-pulled silkscreen on cream Speckletone fine art paper, this 18x24-inch artist proof edition is signed and marked AP by Fairey. The print embodies a direct message about gender equity and civil rights through a striking composition that combines historical references, contemporary visual cues, and a politically engaged aesthetic. The female figure at the center wears a red and black cap adorned with the symbol for feminism, her confident gaze set against a backdrop of legal and activist iconography. Her jacket bears the words ERA NOW, a clear call for the ratification of the Equal Rights Amendment. A public notice referencing the 1972 general election is also printed below, reinforcing the legal and historical dimension of the piece.
Visual Symbolism and Stylistic Elements
Fairey's visual language is rooted in propaganda poster design, and this work uses bold red, black, and blue tones to evoke urgency and clarity. The composition is organized like a page from a revolutionary newspaper, echoing historical civil rights publications. To the left, a figure representing Lady Justice appears, reinforcing the balance of law and equity. A banner at the top announces The Future Is Equal, styled like a newspaper headline, referencing The Daily Times and proclaiming the approval of the Equal Rights Amendment. In the lower right corner, demonstrators raise fists and signs, with slogans such as Power Women Free, tying the artwork directly to protest culture and ongoing feminist movements. These combined motifs reflect Shepard Fairey’s continued commitment to Street Pop Art & Graffiti Artwork that is both accessible and subversive.
Social Justice Activism in Contemporary Art
Shepard Fairey, born in the United States in 1970, has long used his work to highlight themes of justice, power, and equality. As a pop culture artist with roots in the street art movement, he brings social commentary into spaces both sanctioned and unsanctioned, often using silkscreen as a medium for its reproducibility and historical weight. This print connects directly with Fairey’s ongoing efforts to leverage visual art for political advocacy, including previous works supporting climate change awareness, anti-war efforts, and racial justice. The Future Is Equal AP stands as part of this lineage, using the visual tools of street propaganda to demand legislative change and public awareness of gender rights issues.
Political Printmaking in the Street Pop Tradition
This artwork reflects a broader tradition in graffiti and street pop movements of using printmaking and public imagery to amplify voices calling for systemic change. Fairey’s AP edition adds rarity and collector significance, while still embodying the core ethos of accessibility and activism. The image challenges viewers to recognize unfinished work around gender equity, invoking both the legacy of earlier activists and the responsibility of contemporary generations. The combination of scale, texture, and visual urgency captures the essence of what Street Pop Art & Graffiti Artwork can accomplish when fused with purpose and historical consciousness.
