Shepard Fairey: A Growing Giant

I recently went to the premier exhibit of Shepard Fairey and his “Obey” campaign. I had heard of “Obey,” but I never knew the name behind it, nor did I have any idea how interesting and unique an art style Fairey had created. I know there are claims that he ripped off other artists’ ideas, namely Erik Brunetti, but the point is that Fairey’s work is certainly very different and intrigueing, regardless who inspired it.

Fairey’s most famous work is known as “Andre the Giant.” It began as a campaign called “Andre the Giant Has a Posse,” which began as an effort to stimulate curiosity over the wrestler’s (Andre the Giant’s) iconic status. The campaign eventually expanded, now known simply as “Obey Giant.” It encompasses a vast assortment of political concepts and challenges those concepts.

Most of his work is done with stencils, and can be seen not only at exhibits, but around the city streets, as people have put stickers featuring his art all around urban areas. Many shops are proud to show off Fairey’s pieces. However, the art featured on his stickers only touches the surface of the “Obey” campaign’s depth and intensity.

At the exhibit, you can see inspiring works of political figures brandishing the “Obey” logo, or soldiers’ silouhettes with roses plugging their rifles. Intense patterns in black and red filled the gallery, and everything portrayed some message or idea about peace, war, and the people behind them. His art in itself sort of give off the idea that it is taking over the world, but as you can see if you just walk around Los Angeles, it kind of is.

As Fairey puts it, the “Obey” campaign is an experiment in Phenomenology, in which those who see the art are meant to question the art itself, therefore sparking curiosity and scrutiny to the campaign and thus their surroundings, making them pay greater attention to detail. It seems like an interesting and far-out goal, but it seems to work to an extent.

Apparently, some of his campaign is based from the movie “They Live,” which you should really watch if you haven’t yet. This movie features many quotes that Duke Nukem adopted, as well as one of the longest and greatest one-on-one fight scenes ever to be witnessed. But I digress.

If you do not know who Shepard Fairey is or what his art looks like, you should really give it a look-see. If nothing else, it will open your eyes to what many people consider a new great style of art. Whether you agree with his messages, or just think he is a bogus pseudo intellectual who stole from other artists before him, the artwork itself is still something you can enjoy viewing.

Currently, you can view some of his work at the Merry Karnowsky Gallery from September 16th through October 14th, 2006. The gallery is located at 170 South La Brea Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90036. Go get a map and visit it; it’s pretty cool.