{"id":260213,"date":"2025-10-30T06:03:13","date_gmt":"2025-10-30T06:03:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/260213\/"},"modified":"2025-10-30T06:03:13","modified_gmt":"2025-10-30T06:03:13","slug":"out-of-print-a-shepard-fairey-retrospective-delves-into-the-power-of-protest-colossal","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/260213\/","title":{"rendered":"‘Out of Print,’ a Shepard Fairey Retrospective, Delves into the Power of Protest \u2014 Colossal"},"content":{"rendered":"

From feminist activist Angela Davis to iconic symbols of peace amid political upheaval, Shepard Fairey<\/a> is known for his bold illustrations and instantly recognizable posters. He rose to prominence within the world of street art and skateboarding culture, creating a sticker in 1989 with the phrase \u201cAndre the Giant has a posse<\/a>,\u201d which was distributed widely and led to a recurring motif of the wrestler\u2019s face on dozens of subsequent prints.<\/p>\n

Fairey\u2019s graphic motifs<\/a> hit the mainstream in 2008 during Barack Obama\u2019s presidential campaign, in which his portrait sits above the word \u201chope.\u201d The optimistic work exemplifies how grassroots activism, especially through the form of printing and sharing imagery, can become iconic and have immense influence.<\/p>\n

\"a\u201cAfrocentric (Red)\u201d (2007), screenprint on paper, 24 x 18 inches<\/p>\n

Out of Print, a retrospective of Fairey\u2019s work presented by Beyond the Streets<\/a>, celebrates what the gallery calls \u201cthe rebellious, democratic force of ink and paper.\u201d More than 400 prints designed over the past few decades are joined by new works. Many of the posters emphasize his interest in activism, empowerment, and protest. His subversive practice, known as Obey Giant, even has a slogan: \u201cManufacturing quality dissent since 1989.\u201d<\/p>\n

Fairey often incorporates the color schemes and modernist, graphic motifs of early 20th-century propaganda posters, especially of the Soviet Union. By incorporating design motifs associated with fascism into messages of peace, feminism, love, and democracy, he reinforces the power of the medium. \u201cSome people say digital media has ended print, but the provocative, tactile experience of a print on a wall or in the wild can\u2019t be replaced,\u201d Fairey says.\u00a0\u201cPrinting still matters!\u201d<\/p>\n

The exhibition runs from November 15 to January 11 in Los Angeles. Learn more on the gallery\u2019s website<\/a>, follow updates on Fairey\u2019s Instagram<\/a>, and purchase prints in his shop<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"a\u201cFist\u201d (2000), screenprint on paper, 24 x 18 inches<\/p>\n

\"a\u201cVisual Disobedience\u201d (2004), screenprint on paper, 24 x 18 inches<\/p>\n

\"a\u201cWar For Sale (Red)\u201d (2007), screenprint on paper, 24 x 18 inches<\/p>\n

\"a\u201cHigh Time for Peace\u201d (2005), screenprint on paper, 24 x 18 inches<\/p>\n

\"a\u201cGuns and Roses\u201d (2006), screenprint on paper, 24 x 18 inches<\/p>\n

\"a\u201cMujer Fatale\u201d (2007), screenprint on paper, 24 x 18 inches<\/p>\n

\"a\u201cPanther Power\u201d (2007), screenprint on paper, 24 x 18 inches<\/p>\n

Do stories and artists like this matter to you? Become a Colossal Member<\/a> now, and support independent arts publishing.<\/p>\n

Hide advertising<\/p>\n

Save your favorite articles<\/p>\n

Get 15% off in the Colossal Shop<\/a><\/p>\n

Receive members-only newsletter<\/p>\n

Give 1% for art supplies in K-12 classrooms<\/p>\n

\t