Artwork Description
Tom Dula Black AP Artist Proof Silkscreen Print by Shepard Fairey- OBEY Hand-Pulled on Cream Speckletone Fine Art Paper Limited Edition Artwork Obey Pop Culture Artist.
AP Artist Proof 2012 Signed & Marked AP Limited Edition Artwork Size 18x24 Silkscreen Print—Lonesome Tree Stylized Old Gnarled Tree in Western Desert Setting. Thomas C. Dula was a former Confederate soldier who was convicted of murdering Laura Foster, based on a song made famous by Kingston Trio.
Shepard Fairey's "Tom Dula Black AP" is a silkscreen print that fuses historical narrative with the artist's signature graphic style. Created in 2012, this piece is part of a limited edition set, hand-pulled with a color process on Fairey’s preferred medium, cream speckletone fine art paper. Each print in the series bears Fairey's signature and the distinctive 'AP' mark, denoting it as an Artist Proof. This status is often valued due to its rarity and direct connection to the artist's initial vision. Measuring 18x24 inches, the artwork presents a lone, stylized tree in a desolate Western desert setting. The barren landscape serves as a symbolic backdrop to the sad tale of Thomas C. Dula, a former Confederate soldier whose name became immortalized in the folk song "Tom Dooley" following his controversial conviction and execution for the murder of Laura Foster. Fairey's choice to represent this narrative through a stark and solitary tree amidst an arid terrain reflects the isolation and finality of Dula's fate. This print stands out in pop and street art for its storytelling through visual symbolism. The work does not merely capture viewers' attention with its aesthetic but also invites them to engage with a deeper historical narrative, a characteristic often found in Fairey's body of work. It showcases the artist's ability to navigate the intersection of pop culture and fine art, where historical references become part of the modern visual lexicon. Shepard Fairey’s work frequently contains layers of meaning with a propensity for social commentary. With "Tom Dula Black AP," the art is not only about presenting a visual narrative but also evoking an emotional response that connects the historical past with contemporary culture. This piece is a poignant example of how street art can transcend its urban origins, entering the gallery space as a powerful storytelling medium that bridges historical context and modern expression.
