Bad Brain’s School of Rock!
My friend Darryl Jenifer from Bad Brains sent me this cool video of Eli Proper in an Obey tee on drums at the Darryl Jenifer recording camp. Darryl is teaching school of Rock this week! By the way, Obey Clothing will be doing a Bad Brains collaboration! Darryl has been sending me some great vintage imagery to work from… keep that P.M.A. and an eye out.
-Shepard
A TURN IN PARADISE
My piece for the Coney Island Art Walls was inspired by both Coney Island’s oceanside location, and my ongoing criticism of environmental destruction generally, but climate change caused by oil and gas specifically. Coney Island was affected by superstorm Sandy, a hurricane which many attribute to climate change, so I thought my image of the couple by the beach was especially appropriate, but the overall oil and gas theme is a thread throughout. I’m always excited to find a solution that addresses site-specific variables but also features themes that I think are universal and relevant to my entire body of work. – Shepard
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Art, Music, Politics with Chuck D & Shepard Fairey SXSW 2015
“Art and music should be about empowerment; once you’ve created a means to communicate, you shouldn’t squander that with stuff that is meaningless, you should fill it with things that are meaningful.” – Shepard
Check out the full SXSW 2015 panel discussion on art, politics and youth culture with Shepard, Chuck D (Public Enemy), Evan Pricco (Editor-In-Chief, Juxtapoz), Lorrie Boula (President, Soul Kitchen Music), and Todd Roberts (Head of Visual Arts, The Windish Agency).
5th Annual Rock and Roll Carnival to Benefit MUSACK w/ Rancid, X, and more!
Shepard will be DJing at The 5th Annual Rock and Roll Carnival to Benefit MUSACK on Saturday, August 22 in Hancock Park. The event will feature performances by Rancid, X (acoustic), Fishbone, and more. Founded by Donick Cary, a good friend, writer, and producer, MUSACK provides guitars and music programs to Nantucket High Schools, as well as scholarships for students wanting to pursue music-related studies, and cultural exchange programs for students in both Los Angeles and Nantucket. Nurturing the creative potential in students is crucial to humanity’s cultural advancement; what better way to support such programs than to come enjoy this fun event and experience some great music! Check out the lineup and get your tickets HERE.
Learn more about MUSACK here
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Black Gold
The “Black Gold” poster is a sequel or companion to “Endless Power” and uses a comparison between the tobacco industry and the oil and gas industry to examine truth in advertising, and destruction of the environment.
I designed this print to feel like a “product as hero” advertisement. A lot of shrewd advertising has been created to suggest that things we want are also good for us and society. Perfect examples are the ads celebrating the health benefits of cigarettes. My inclusion of the text “with lung tonic” is a humorous nod to the absurd health claims historically made for harmful products. Like tobacco companies, oil and gas companies use their deep pockets to create doubt about climate change and to greenwash their image. Oil and gas companies and the car manufacturers who profit heavily from gas powered engines used their power and influence to overturn a zero emissions law in the state of California, effectively delaying electric cars arriving on the market accessibly for 10 plus years. It is dangerous for an industry to have that much power. Scientists hired by fossil fuel corporations represent the minority of the scientific community who claim oil stocks are endless and that oil and gas don’t contribute to climate change. These are the same scientists who, if paid, would claim that smoking cures asthma or gas fumes are a cure-all lung tonic.
Though oil may have originally seemed to be endless, we now know the world’s oil reserves will run out eventually. Estimates range from 10 years to 200 until accessible oil is depleted. The oil was formed by natural geological processes which occurred over millions of years. Oil consumption presently exceeds 25 billion barrels a year and demand continues to spiral upward, out of control. The outcome is inevitable. Wind and sun are renewable and healthy…we’ve got to stop smoking.
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REMINDER: IT’S A BEAUTIFUL DAY, I GUESS opens at Subliminal Projects this Saturday!
I’m really excited about this show because the golden era of hip-hop, ’86-’94, was incredibly influential for me. All the work in the show is very stylish and witty. I particularly love Mark Drew’s cassette paintings and this one in particular because ICE-T’s Power album was what inspired the use of the word “Posse” in my Andre the Giant Has a Posse sticker. The lyrics to the song Power go “I’m livin’ large as possible posse unstoppable… style topical, vividly optical”. The year was ’88 and other great hip-hop records that used the word “posse” were out… N.W.A., Public Enemy, Beastie Boys, but ICE-T was my specific inspiration. -Shepard
Mark Drew, Hip Hop Mix, 2015
IT’S A BEAUTIFUL DAY, I GUESS
In Collaboration With Andres Guerrero
Opening Reception: Saturday, July 18 · 8 – 11 pm
[email protected]
Location: SUBLIMINAL PROJECTS
1331 W. Sunset Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90026
Click here to visit Subliminal Projects for more images and info!
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The Young Lords: New York Bronx Museum exhibit
If you’re in New York be sure to check out “¡Presente! The Young Lords,” a new exhibit focusing on radical Puerto Rican nationalist and civil-rights activist group Young Lords. Fighting for racial equality and Puerto Rican independence, Young Lords established a New York chapter in the late 60’s to help fight oppression within their communities and organize marches and protests to further awareness of their cause. The exhibit takes place at the Bronx Museum and includes memorabilia, fine art, and photographs from the groups events, including the horrific 1971 Ponce massacre perpetrated against the group by local law enforcement. Check out the following Wall Street Journal preview to see images from the show, which includes Shepard’s ‘Visual Disobedience’ piece HERE.
Also, check out this WSJ article on The Art and Activism of the Young Lords HERE
“SID: superman is dead” exhibit in paris
If you’re in Paris, be sure to check out “SID: SUPERMAN IS DEAD,” a unique collaborative exhibition by Shepard and photographer Dennis Morris, a tribute to the life of Sid Vicious. SID features rare original paintings by Shepard, shown alongside the legendary and archetypal photos of Sid taken by Morris.
“Sid remains one of punk’s most enduring icons even if he is a classic example of style over substance. I was a sucker for Sid’s image as a teenager, and I still am, even though I see him as less ‘cool’ and more tragic and cautionary these days. I have made many images of Sid over the years, and I thought I had retired him as a subject until Dennis Morris-the photographer of the most intimate and iconic shots of Sid-approached me about a collaboration. Dennis’s archive provided an amazing treasure trove of Sid images to work from in creating the paintings and prints in the ‘Superman Is Dead’ show.” – Shepard
In addition to the paintings and photographs, a limited number of prints will also be available at the exhibit. If you’re a fan of the Sex Pistols, Sid Vicious, or music history in general, take advantage of this rare opportunity (from now until August 1st) to own a piece of cultural history preserved in this unique collaboration!
Please visit Magda Gallery for more info and click “more” below to see pictures from the show.
Shepard Fairey – Superman is dead
From 4 July, 2015 to 1 August, 2015
Opening 4 July, 2015 from 6pm to 9pm
Magda Danysz Gallery – 78, rue Amelot – Paris 11
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Help fund the trap door at the edge of the universe!
My good friend Noah Warner wrote and is making an indie film called Trap Door at the Edge of the Universe. He’s got a great group of actors lined up and only needs 18 grand to get started. I think it is always great when good ideas can triumph over deep pockets, so help these Davids in an industry of Goliaths. Those rocks and slingshots are cheap but NOT FREE! Thanks for supporting independent art!
-Shepard
Last week to see Urban Nation’s “Freedom” Show!
This is the last week to check out Urban Nation’s: Project M/8 “Freedom” show in Berlin, featuring some pieces of mine as well as work from D*Face, Maya Hayuk, Cyrcle., Word To Mother, Miss Van, The London Police, Herakut, Snik & Evoca1. It’s rare to have such a diverse selection of artists from all over the globe showing under one roof, not to mention the many murals that were constructed to coincide with the exhibit… this one’s not to be missed!
Check out some recap pics HERE and HERE, and be sure to check out the show if you get a chance!
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