The sticker campaign titled Andre the Giant Has a Posse served as the catalyst for Shepard Fairey’s career in 1989. While a student, he produced these graphic images, which evolved into the globally recognized OBEY phenomenon. This project marked his transition from a skateboarding enthusiast to a prominent figure within the international contemporary street art movement.
Formative Education and Early Development
Born in 1970 in Charleston, South Carolina, Shepard Fairey pursued formal training after graduating from the Idyllwild Arts Academy in 1988. He relocated to Rhode Island to attend the Rhode Island School of Design, where he completed a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Illustration by 1992. His engagement with visual media began in 1984, involving the application of his drawings onto skateboards and clothing items.
Twenty questions, eight minutes on the clock, and a percentile measured against everyone who has taken it. No sign-up.
Take the IQ test →The OBEY Phenomenon
The artist gained significant attention through the accidental discovery of a wrestling advertisement featuring André the Giant. He utilized this image for stencils and stickers, later reformatting the design with the word OBEY. This shift introduced Orwellian themes into his work, intended to prompt public reaction and introspection regarding the occupation of shared urban spaces.
Design Agencies and Commercial Projects
Fairey transitioned into professional design through several ventures, including the founding of Alternate Graphics in Providence. Between 1997 and 2003, he co-founded the design studio BLK/MRKT Inc., focusing on high-impact marketing strategies. In 2003, he established Studio Number One alongside his wife, Amanda Fairey. This agency produced various creative assets, including album covers for The Black Eyed Peas and The Smashing Pumpkins, as well as promotional posters for motion pictures.
Political and Public Art
In 2008, Fairey achieved widespread recognition for the Barack Obama Hope poster. His portfolio also includes significant public art installations such as the Nelson Mandela Mural, the Peace Guardian, and collaborative work with Vhils in Lisbon. His contributions to the visual arts are held within the collections of numerous institutions, including the National Portrait Gallery in Washington, D.C., The Smithsonian, and the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.
Fast facts
- Born: 1970, Charleston
- Education: Rhode Island School of Design
- Primary Movement: Contemporary Art
- Notable Work: Barack Obama Hope poster
- Key Agency: Studio Number One
- Citizenship: United States
- Primary Fields: Street art, illustration, graphic design
Questions readers ask
What inspired the original OBEY sticker?
It was derived from a newspaper advertisement for a wrestling match featuring André the Giant, which Fairey used for stencils while attending art school.
Where can the work of Shepard Fairey be viewed in institutions?
His pieces are included in several collections, such as the Museum of Modern Art, The Smithsonian, and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art.
Achievements
- Notable work: Nelson Mandela Mural
- Notable work: Andre the Giant Has a Posse
- Notable work: Barack Obama "Hope" poster
- Notable work: Mural by Shepard Fairey & Vhils in Lisbon
- Movement: contemporary art
