Shepard Fairey on the Obama HOPE Poster, Copyright Lawsuits & Street Culture
Iconic artist Shepard Fairey (OBEY Giant) sits down with London curator and author Cedar Lewisohn for an intimate, wide-ranging live conversation.
From his roots in skateboard culture and punk rock to the creation of the iconic Obama "HOPE" poster and his high-profile Associated Press copyright lawsuit, Fairey reflects on the evolution of his practice. He also pulls back the curtain on "Triple Trouble"—his collaborative project alongside Space Invader and Damien Hirst—and breaks down his approach to visual propaganda, colour theory, and navigating the digital age.
Time Period:
21st century
Shepard Fairey is a contemporary street artist, graphic designer, activist, and founder of OBEY Clothing and creative agency Studio Number One. In 1989, while at Rhode Island School of Design studying for his Bachelor of Fine Arts in Illustration, Shepard Fairey created the “Andre the Giant has a Posse” sticker that later evolved into the OBEY GIANT art campaign. In 2008, his portrait of then-Democratic candidate Barack Obama became an internationally recognized emblem of hope. He is known for the “We The People” campaign debuted during the 2017 Women’s Marches worldwide. Fairey has painted nearly 140 public murals, become one of the most sought-after and provocative artists globally, changing the way people converse about art and view the urban landscape.
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