Essentials: Shepard Fairey

Our Essentials series returns with none other than accomplished artist, designer and activist Shepard Fairey. Most will recognize Fairey’s work from his timeless OBEY, “Andre the Giant Has a Posse” design, and/or his iconic “HOPE” poster, which became the brand image of President Barack Obama’s first campaign run in 2008. Unbeknownst to Fairey during his art school days at Rhode Island School of Design, his 1989 ”Andre the Giant Has a Posse” sticker would go on to spurn a street art revolution, encapsulated by a clothing label. Before this month’s exhibit in Detroit, Michigan titled “Printed Matters” Fairey has graciously laid out and shared what he travels with on a daily basis.

Fairey’s affinity towards a grunge, ’80s aesthetic is represented by an OBEY Generation Bastards black leather jacket, finished with a Mark Bolan pin detail, and a black pair of old school adidas Shell Toe sneakers. Sex Pistols’ late ’70s album, Never Mind the Bullocks serves as Fairey’s choice music score, which manifests itself through his outward, punk-rock appearance. Naturally, Fairey carries around the tools of his trade — a 13” MacBook Pro and custom X-Acto knife in order to create on-the-go; an accompanying flash and external hard drive to save progress, and of course a handful of stickers to plaster around his environment on impulse. As a diabetic, Fairey cannot live without his blood glucose monitor kit, and as a businessman, he is unable to get around without his COMME des GARÇONS Half-Zip wallet – a luxury holder for his business and credit cards.

Fairey’s latest exhibit, “Printed Matters” is set to run from May 22–August 15, 2015 at Library Street Collective (1260 Library Street). Displayed pieces such as serigraphs on paper, editions on wood, editions on metal, and fine art collages will be united by the overarching theme of highlighting the importance of printed material in Fairey’s art. In addition to “Printed Matters,” Fairey has also agreed to contribute to Library Street Collective’s “Public Matter” outdoor exhibition, which will be opening simultaneously as “Printed Matters,” and located in the Belt. The celebrated artist will have the honor of painting a permanent mural in the Belt, coupled with what is being teased as Fairey’s largest mural to date at a yet to be revealed location in downtown Detroit.