About the artwork
This unique work by Shepard Fairey depicts the profile of a young soldier holding a rose, against a background of bright red rays. The composition takes up the artist's emblematic visual codes: hijacked propaganda imagery, sharp contrasts between black, red and beige, superimpositions of ornamental motifs and the use of printed paper collages. The background of textured papers contributes to the "aged", almost patinated look typical of Fairey's early one-off handmade works. Spray and stencil interventions add immediate graphic force. Signed and dated 2006, the piece bears witness to the pivotal period when Shepard Fairey was developing his visual language between political activism, revolutionary imagery and pop culture symbols.
Expert opinion
This unique piece represents a particularly strong example of Shepard Fairey's work in the mid-2000s, a period when the artist was consolidating his visual identity and gaining increasing international recognition. The combined use of collage, stencil and spray paint testifies to an already strong technical mastery, as well as to the direct influence of street art on studio production. The theme - a soldier holding a rose - condenses the hijacked propaganda aesthetic that characterizes the most sought-after works of this period. The generous format, the chromatic intensity of the red, the presence of OBEY ornamental motifs and the quality of the paper layering make this work an important testimony to Fairey's transition from street artist to gallery artist. Its provenance (Galerie Danysz, 2006) also reinforces its historical interest, as it dates from the founding years of its diffusion on the European market. Excellent condition.
About the artist
American artist, born in 1970. Lives and works in Los Angeles (USA). Muralist, illustrator and silkscreen artist, Shepard Fairey (Obey) is one of the most influential figures in urban art. Influenced by Andy Warhol, Barbara Kruger and Diego Rivera, he is best known for the HOPE portrait of Barack Obama he created for his presidential campaign in 2008, which has since been acquired by the National Portrait Gallery (Washington, USA). Following the attacks in France on November 13, 2015, Shepard Fairey created a Marianne with the motto "Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité", a work that has now become a national symbol and is on display at the Élysée Palace. In 2019, he will create his hundredth fresco at Place Igor Stravinsky in Paris, next to the Centre Pompidou. Internationally renowned, Shepard Fairey can be found in the collections of the Smithsonian (Washington, USA), the Museum of Modern Art (New York, USA) and the Victoria and Albert Museum (London, UK). He has also exhibited in prestigious venues such as the Fondation Cartier for the "Né dans la rue - Graffiti" exhibition in 2009, and the Institute of Contemporary Art in Boston (USA), where his retrospective "Supply & Demand" was organized in 2009.
Additional info
Signed
Dated
Framed
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