Artist Shepard Fairey has consistently merged social justice themes with musical counterculture, creating impactful imagery. His most notable works are 18-by-24-inch posters that address issues like police brutality, war, and government surveillance, while advocating for peace, civil rights, and multiculturalism. These posters often feature portraits of cultural icons such as Bob Marley, the Sex Pistols, Public Enemy, and Andy Warhol.
The exhibition Shepard Fairey: Out of Print at Beyond the Streets gallery in Los Angeles showcases a wide array of these rare posters. Although Fairey now creates large murals, his posters and street art remain central to his work. “The show highlights both consistency and evolution over 30 years,” Fairey notes, focusing on issues like racism, sexism, and abuse of power.
Featuring 421 pieces from the mid-’90s to today, this is Fairey’s largest U.S. print exhibition. His high-contrast designs often use red, blue, and gold, drawing from Soviet-era propaganda visuals.
Fairey’s work captures the energy of activism and cultural narratives. A gallery wall displays a grid of faces, including Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Kurt Cobain. “I’ve taken the punk rock spirit of speaking out and applied it constructively,” Fairey explains.
Beyond the Streets, founded by Roger Gastman, hosts this exhibition. Fairey and Gastman, who collaborated on the magazine Swindle, have a longstanding relationship. In Los Angeles, abandoned luxury towers have become canvases for graffiti artists, symbolizing unchecked development and homelessness.
Fairey began his “Andre the Giant Has a Posse” sticker campaign in 1989 while at the Rhode Island School of Design, evolving into the Obey Giant project. The exhibit includes tools of his trade and a DIY methodology display.
The gallery also features vintage TVs displaying clips related to Fairey’s work. One poster highlights his band Nøise, alongside tributes to punk rock bands like the Ramones and Bad Brains. On December 16, Fairey will discuss his work with Circle Jerks founders.
Fairey admires figures like Joe Strummer of the Clash, whose influence is evident in multiple posters. Although he never met Strummer, Fairey regrets missing the opportunity.
Fairey gained prominence with the 2008 “Hope” poster for Barack Obama’s presidential campaign, now in the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery. “There are pros and cons to being known,” he reflects, emphasizing his continued defiant spirit.
While he created a poster for Kamala Harris in 2024, Fairey generally avoids depicting Donald Trump. However, one work from Trump’s first term is included—a collaboration with Franz Ferdinand.
Fairey recently released a new poster, “Fall of Freedom,” as part of a pro-Democracy initiative, emphasizing the need for progressive activism. “Street art statements make people feel like they can safely express themselves,” Fairey asserts.
