Obey

"OBEY is the word that Shepard Fairey chooses as his artistic name, provocatively. OBEY is a term consistently used by the street artist throughout his artistic production, not to suggest unconditional and passive obedience to the observer, but to encourage critical thinking and disobedience to social conventions when necessary. From his early works to the most recent, the PROPAGANDA section is an expression of Shepard Fairey’s socio-political commitment. Among his numerous works, HOPE stands out, created for Obama’s election campaign, which in 2008 definitively established the artist’s success on a global scale. The works of OBEY have become icons, serving as flags of hope and peace for the people. In the PEACE AND JUSTICE section, one can find pieces such as Defend Dignity, the central image of the 2017 We The People campaign, used by protesters advocating for a more inclusive America. Shepard Fairey aligns himself with minorities in works such as Embrace Justice, Muhammad Ali, and Voting Rights are Human Rights, all prominently displayed in the exhibition. His desire is to reach a better and fairer future for all humanity, as reflected in his artwork The Future is Equal."-- host institution website viewed March 17, 2025