Shepard Fairey Arrested In Boston

by Staff, February 7, 2009

shepard fairey arrested Shepard Fairey Arrested In Boston

BOSTON – A street artist famous for his red, white and blue “Hope” posters of President Obama has been arrested on warrants accusing him of tagging property with graffiti, police said Saturday.

Shepard Fairey was arrested Friday night on his way to the Institute of Contemporary Art for a kickoff event for his first solo exhibition, called “Supply and Demand.”

Two warrants were issued for Fairey on Jan. 24 after police determined he’d tagged property in two locations with graffiti based on the Andre the Giant street art campaign from his early career, Officer James Kenneally said. One of the locations was the railroad trestle by the landmark Boston University bridge over the Charles River, police said.

Read the full article at the Huffington Post.

Photo: cliff1066

Art Shepard Fairey

Trackbacks

Posted by: unotre Archive » al gabbio on February 11, 2009 at 6:32 am

[...] fairey, in arte obey.E’ stato accusato di danneggiamento alle proprietà. Comunque se vedi l’articolo e la foto su hypebeast, shep sembra un ragioniere, altro che ‘’street artist” [...]
Posted by: SevenKen blog » 美國藝術之死copy from HYPEBREAT: Shepard Fairey Arrested In Boston on February 9, 2009 at 12:13 pm

[...] the full article at the Huffington Post. Photo: cliff1066 from:http://hypebeast.com/2009/02/shepard-fairey-arrested-in-boston/ 今日見MC仁，佢講起有graffiti artist俾人上門拉人封鋪，原來係Obey… [...]
Posted by: MZEE.com Blog » Blog Archive » Shepard Fairey in Boston festgenommen! on February 9, 2009 at 5:37 am

[...] Der K
Posted by: THE LOST AND FOUND » ARTIST BEHIND OBAMA “HOPE” POSTERS ARRESTED on February 9, 2009 at 2:43 am

[...] with graffiti and all of us are down with Obama so I have to share yet another already-posted-on-hypebeast gem with you [...]
Posted by: OBEY the Law? (Shepard Fairey Arrested in Boston) « "Across the Junaverse" on February 8, 2009 at 3:33 am

[...] Hypebeast Tagged with: obama, shepard, fairey, arrested, boston, barack, hope, poster, andre, giant, [...]

75 Responses

Posted by: kal on February 18, 2009 at 12:46 am

Fuck the Police!
Posted by: acro7 on February 12, 2009 at 11:23 pm

sucks major. not only that,l the company that took the real pic of his obama tag is suing him for money that he didnt even earn. life sucks for him.
Posted by: LOL on February 10, 2009 at 6:26 am

Just PR. The guy is a sellout!
Posted by: vulk!! on February 10, 2009 at 5:56 am

he paid the price!!
Posted by: truth on February 10, 2009 at 2:04 am

guys a fucking idiot.
dude needs to stop stealing peoples shit and claiming it as his own.
hope he gets raped.
Posted by: Image on February 9, 2009 at 5:22 pm

Where is the love for OBAMA? not in boston
Posted by: Green_Arrow on February 9, 2009 at 4:10 pm

okay allakazo, maybe youre not a stupid fuck. haha. but, you made it sound like obama was literally endorsing this shit. im sure the obama campaign new about shepard too. he’s milked obama’s campaign for all its worth just for publicity. I mean a “graffiti artist” on t.v.? give me a fucking break if thats not selling out i dont know what is. so i guess we can agree that shepard fairey isn’t all that great.
Posted by: hateer mc haterson on February 9, 2009 at 2:35 pm

ps – i SERIOUSLY DOUBT his lame ass posters swayed anybody’s vote.
Posted by: BW on February 9, 2009 at 12:57 pm

I’ve been writing graff for 16 years and don’t see a problem with this. It’s all part of the game; I know I’m breaking the law. If I’m caught for such activities, I know it’s my own fault and will man-up as such. Plus, I don’t feel sorry for someone that took their “street” art and sold out to the point where you see his gear at Macy’s. So he can eat this and so can his Obama poster.
Posted by: allakazo on February 9, 2009 at 9:58 am

Green_Arrow buddy it takes one to know one
if you think obama’s campaign did not know about the potential of shepard as a marketing tool then you’re way dumber then you sound. regardless, shepard plays for both team street and team corporate…taking best advantage of commercial opportunities, while plagiarizing half his works from other artist…what a role model.
Posted by: jackie on February 9, 2009 at 5:44 am

haha, the IRONY!
Posted by: Andy on February 9, 2009 at 5:19 am

Thia isn’t bombing either…it’s wheat pasting….bombing is tags/throws/blockbusters!
Posted by: Andy on February 9, 2009 at 5:16 am

Seems like a publicity thing sort of…he’ll probably be let out pretty quick
Posted by: kseo on February 9, 2009 at 5:08 am

shit happens. he’ll be fine.
Posted by: 2b on February 9, 2009 at 3:47 am

Shep Fairey has made a decent brand of himself….and now might have to suffer a bit for his brand. I keep trying to tell people…..”graffiti’ and “bombing” are dirty words after 9-11…it’s tricky.
This is just to send a message to the army of biters and “graff” artists that all this is still illegal…Shep you are on the other side of the fence bro….the grass is greener…stick to the commercial work and never carry a marker or a sticker in your pocket again!
Posted by: end all be all on February 9, 2009 at 3:08 am

screw shepard hes an idiot for starting an anti propaganda company and putting obama hope posters up as if he was the difinitive end point to our countries salvation. I like his work but he made a mistake. I cant wait till its well known that obama was hand picked like the rest of them to rule and dominate a dull minded country. yaayy to the guy who helped trick our art culture into another shitty president with a black face. God how i wish the first president was legit. ohhh _____>>>> haters remarks start here.
Posted by: Green_Arrow on February 9, 2009 at 2:55 am

hey allakazo, you’re a stupid fuck. obama doesn’t “endorse” shepard fairey. fairey did that art work without any official consent from obama. he just did it to sell obey t-shirts. and now every cunt that wears big colorful scarves and shops at urban outfitters has an obey obama shirt. oh, and everyone has been saying that shepard fairey is a sellout and that he’s no longer a true graffiti artist. what better way to restore your rep. than getting arrested for that shit? all publicity…
Posted by: $$$$ on February 9, 2009 at 12:02 am

fuck the police check it out people get shot at murdered robbed raped u know instead of lookin for those people they arrest artists?!?! thats plain crap fuck that shit but then again thas wat happens when u gettin up its hard a lot of haters and police are first on the list………..
Posted by: Haz on February 8, 2009 at 10:05 pm

Good point polar. Herbie McClintock, you’re sounding like an e-thug yourself genius…

I don’t see how you could hate Shepard Fairey anywho, haha. Oh wait up, he supported Obama.

So fuck him right? Grow up. This will pass quick.
Posted by: YouHaveBrainDamage on February 8, 2009 at 9:56 pm

JW7thave =>

what the hell is wrong with you? you must have the education of a third grader i swear. you probably think you “roll hard” and post bullshit like that to make yourself feel like a “G”
there are laws for a reason. people break em, people get caught, people go to jail. its how the world functions normal. open your eyes and go suck a dick.

and those who think he should be pardoned just cuz he supported the first black president can get on your knees with him.
Posted by: KGEE on February 8, 2009 at 9:27 pm

You gotta pay to play
Posted by: planet newks on February 8, 2009 at 9:21 pm

wtf!.. thas bullshit yo.. this guy is a hero yo.. a fuckin hero
Posted by: smilemore on February 8, 2009 at 9:15 pm

hes also gettin sued cuz his HOPE picture was taken from some copywrited shit..
Posted by: beastjp on February 8, 2009 at 7:14 pm

this is an outrage!
Posted by: F on February 8, 2009 at 5:47 pm

O well. This guy shouldn’t have broken the law. This is what happens to criminals.
Posted by: polar on February 8, 2009 at 4:58 pm

If you break the law you get arrested, it’s that simple. Sure the timing of the arrest is obviously to make a big deal of out it (uncalled for but it’s been done … TI anyone?) but Fairey’s talent or contribution to Obama’s campaign has nothing to do with it.

Obama pardoning Fairey would be political suicide.
Posted by: JUwellNyC! Wash Hieghts on February 8, 2009 at 1:15 pm

first and formost Phuck cops they need to free shepard. Then they need to respect the art. The boys got talent, props to him.
Posted by: claw on February 8, 2009 at 1:06 pm

I am in awe of the intellectual prowess and maturity shown by the posters here. I don’t think Obama needs to fix the US education system as it clearly is perfect as is.
Posted by: plastikxp on February 8, 2009 at 12:51 pm

Too much fame for his own good.
Posted by: disturbed on February 8, 2009 at 12:22 pm

the economy is falling apart and you morons are worried about a graffiti artist …clueless as ever. don’t do illegal shit and you don’t have anything to worry about. you have to look out for yourself and not put yourself in a position where people can make an example out of you.
Posted by: mike on February 8, 2009 at 11:12 am

S F is a clown anyways
Posted by: ThumbPin on February 8, 2009 at 10:33 am

It will not bother him in the slightest.. bombing is what he loves best… after all he will onlt get a fine and im sure he can afford it.
Posted by: F. Mike on February 8, 2009 at 10:07 am

I cannot see freedom on this
Posted by: tweed on February 8, 2009 at 8:27 am

arrested because of art…
Posted by: Ace on February 8, 2009 at 6:48 am

Police don’t realize that this will just make him more famous and make his pockets fatter, the irony of the situation is funny though. But look at politics they put up signs everywhere during election time and there not out arresting politicians! There’s good graffitti and bad graffitti.
Posted by: earl on February 8, 2009 at 6:47 am

unless they have solid evidence he dun it they cant do shit. All obey reps have fairey posters, but yeah obama should just walk into the police station throw a fist for black power and demand freedom. Yeah right.
Posted by: Herbie McClintock on February 8, 2009 at 6:42 am

Fuck Fairey. Here’s hoping that they send him to the chair just to see you e-thugs implode with your impotent rage. Grow up you twats.
Posted by: c0ldfish on February 8, 2009 at 5:21 am

those cops should be fired
Posted by: Dozign on February 8, 2009 at 4:53 am

WHAT AN OUTRAGE!!!! or maybe a good PR stunt…hmmmm
Posted by: TwisT on February 8, 2009 at 4:35 am

seriously, has it been that big of a mistery who about who was behind the andre the giant work? I mean this is a blatent display of for lack of a better word “hating” i mean, if boston police wanted to do some real detective work they would have been caught him. but know they were probably watching fox news or some gay shit and drew a conclusion. And it one point it was so popular that really anyone could have done it. i can make a phone call right now and have andre the giant on the door of my citys’ city hall in 5min. If he did it, then hopefully he gets off. If he didnt do it, hopefully there’s not enough “evidence” to convict him of anything

hey wait wasnt that fuck ass cop had them skater crying and destroyed some college kids robot?
Posted by: FLY OR DIE on February 8, 2009 at 4:02 am

lulz

what he gets for selling out

And for supporting a flunky (obama)
Posted by: casey on February 8, 2009 at 3:44 am

i wonder what boston’s statute of limitations is? i feel like it was too long ago to be pressing charges now, but who knows
Posted by: Nova on February 8, 2009 at 3:41 am

Free Shepard. Hypebeast and readers gotta support him. He played a role in getting Obama Elected! Fuck the Police!
Posted by: Haz on February 8, 2009 at 3:33 am

Well that’s not the first time he has been arrested for that, but the timing this time couldn’t have been at a worse time for the poor guy. Real cool guy by the way.
Posted by: George Oilwell on February 8, 2009 at 2:43 am

Boston Pigs are weak, pathetic Nazis. What a joke. I’ll certainly remember never to move to this worthless enclave of Texan-wannabes who have no fucking business even being in the Northeast. Christ, get the hell out of our country. If you want to be Nazis, move to Texas or buy a Time Machine and go back to Nazi Germany where you came from.
Posted by: yoyo on February 8, 2009 at 2:23 am

dude is looking old
Posted by: allakazo on February 8, 2009 at 2:06 am

I’m a huge graffiti fan but this is a wake up call…the irony is so thick it’s ridiculous!
obama endorses shepard with the hope poster, capitalizing on his “street cred” to pull young voters and turning a blind eye to his crimes.
in this new era of hope and change did the police go wrong? yet you do have to wonder about the timing:)
If Shepard takes commissions from corporations and milks his name making anything from socks to dicoball keychains with one hand and plasters propaganda posters with the other…be prepared to take on the same double standard you dish out.
the whole point of graffiti is anonymity…it’s a mythological status if you’re good but cashing in on infamy sometimes backfires.
one more thing, if this was any other crime this discussion would be mute. no way do you brag about crimes you committed with impunity…and yes graffiti is crime otherwise the whole idea wouldn’t exist.
Posted by: Andrew Kiley on February 8, 2009 at 2:04 am

who ares about the police their just doing thier job lol hjey whatver if an artist like this guy wants to be taken seriously maybe he shouldnt of tagged this hes not a greffti artist
Posted by: Metatron on February 8, 2009 at 1:35 am

shephard fairey didn’t get obama elected. if he did throw those up then he’s a dumbass and it’s his own damn fault.
Posted by: OG Kush on February 8, 2009 at 1:25 am

The racist cops are probably pissed that his posters helped Obama win the election.
Posted by: rod on February 8, 2009 at 1:07 am

petty shit. haters trying to bring shepard down.
Posted by: wonder boy on February 8, 2009 at 12:42 am

FUCK BOSTON POLICE ….fuckin pigs
Posted by: bollywood on February 8, 2009 at 12:27 am

i wonder if he did anything in providence. there is a piece that just popped up maybe two weeks ago that looks like he might have done it.
Posted by: Okkim on February 8, 2009 at 12:13 am

Haha probably not the first thing in mind to bail him out. Obama might be busy doing some presidental stuff. The law is the law and can’t do shit about it.
Posted by: JW7thave on February 7, 2009 at 11:57 pm

MOTHA FUKK THE POLICE, HONESTLY, ALWAYS SUCKIN DICK, ALWYASSSS, LET US LIVE MAN, LET US DO OUR THANG, NO MATTER HOW U TRY TO FOLLOW THE RULES THEY ALWAYS WANNA BRAKE YOUR POCKETS FOR SOMETHING THAT HAS SHIT TO DO WITH THEM!! KEEP ON GRAFFIN, EVERYBODY WHO DOES THIS FORM OF EXPRESSION, FUKK ALL THEM CHUMPS AND KEEP IT ALIVE, GRAFF/STREET ART STAY UP.
Posted by: Walnut Face on February 7, 2009 at 11:47 pm

PR is PR.
Posted by: MeetJoyBlack on February 7, 2009 at 11:43 pm

cosign with hustlekid
Posted by: lame on February 7, 2009 at 11:37 pm

hustlekid, what the fuck would obama do about this?
Posted by: dbtz on February 7, 2009 at 11:22 pm

niceee
Posted by: Rugger REL on February 7, 2009 at 11:13 pm

damn that suck buy heyy hommie is from my city and i deff the the andre the giant jump offs and the shit by the river
Posted by: jay on February 7, 2009 at 11:10 pm

FREE SHEPARD
Posted by: nook on February 7, 2009 at 10:50 pm

^^^^^ hahahahahahah
obama owes him!
but seriously that fuuuuuuckkkking sucks.
Posted by: AG on February 7, 2009 at 10:35 pm

why the fuck would obama get him out of jail? do you have down syndrome?
Posted by: beast on February 7, 2009 at 9:09 pm

Obama should pardon him !
Posted by: Alexander Therrien on February 7, 2009 at 9:03 pm

At a time like this I dont know if Obama would Pardon him, but who knows he is Obama?
Posted by: camthrax on February 7, 2009 at 9:03 pm

people throw that shit up for him. He’ll get off for sure.
Posted by: Twiz on February 7, 2009 at 9:01 pm

It’s whack how they waited for him before he was attending his event
Posted by: Erocs on February 7, 2009 at 8:35 pm

Yea, right, the Associated Press hired the cop to arrest him so that they could make him look bad and have a better chance at winning the lawsuit against him.
Posted by: th!z on February 7, 2009 at 8:23 pm

irony!
Posted by: Bro on February 7, 2009 at 7:54 pm

hahaha that’s messed up but it is still a felony.
Posted by: Quicksriker on February 7, 2009 at 7:33 pm

There’s some kind of agenda going on right now with Fairey
Posted by: NIGOplz aka HIGHimDAVE on February 7, 2009 at 7:33 pm

pardon
Posted by: Mohsin on February 7, 2009 at 7:17 pm

FREE SHEPARD fAIREY..btw <–his names sounds so fake…
Posted by: madne$$ on February 7, 2009 at 7:06 pm

fuck the police
Posted by: hustlekid on February 7, 2009 at 6:47 pm

Obama better do sumthin abt this
n get him outta jail

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