Artwork Description
Tom Dula White 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 Tom Dula White AP 2012 Silkscreen Print
Shepard Fairey, born Frank Shepard Fairey in the United States, created the Tom Dula White silkscreen print in 2012 as part of his continued exploration of American folklore, history, and visual propaganda language within Street Pop Art & Graffiti Artwork. This Artist Proof edition is signed and marked AP, distinguishing it from the standard run and reflecting a smaller subset traditionally retained by the artist. The hand-pulled silkscreen measures 18 x 24 inches and is printed on cream Speckletone fine art paper, a stock frequently used in Fairey’s Obey editions for its textured, archival quality. The composition references the story of Thomas C. Dula, a former Confederate soldier convicted in the 1866 murder of Laura Foster, a case that later became widely known through the folk ballad popularized in the twentieth century by The Kingston Trio. Fairey’s engagement with this narrative situates the print within a broader tradition of examining American myth, justice, and cultural memory.
Symbolism of the Lonesome Tree in Street Pop Art & Graffiti Artwork
The image centers on a stark, leafless tree stretching across a red and gold desert landscape, rendered in layered gradients and ornamental textures that echo vintage poster design and distressed printmaking techniques. A rope hangs from one of the branches, subtly invoking themes of execution and frontier justice without overt depiction of violence. The word Lonesome appears at the base, reinforcing the solitary atmosphere of the scene. Fairey’s restrained color palette of deep reds, burnt oranges, and cream tones creates a dramatic contrast that heightens the emotional weight of the subject matter. Within Street Pop Art & Graffiti Artwork, such symbolic reduction allows historical references to be communicated through simplified yet powerful visual cues, drawing viewers into reflection on the tension between legend and documented history.
Artist Proof Editions and Historical Narrative in Obey Artwork
Artist Proof prints hold particular significance in fine art printmaking, as they represent limited impressions outside the numbered edition and often serve as part of the artist’s archive. In the context of Street Pop Art & Graffiti Artwork, these AP editions emphasize craftsmanship and authenticity while reinforcing collectibility. Fairey’s Tom Dula White print demonstrates how Obey imagery frequently bridges historical narrative and contemporary design language, translating nineteenth-century folklore into a modern silkscreen format. By merging archival textures, symbolic landscape imagery, and disciplined hand-pulled production, the work stands as a refined example of how Street Pop Art & Graffiti Artwork can reinterpret American history through bold yet contemplative visual storytelling.
