bio

Often described as a Street artist, Fairey's name first began to appear in the news for wheat pasting (adorning public spaces with the artist's own posters, affixed to walls, signs and other elements by way of a water + wheat mixture--as in wallpaper paste), sticker tagging, and the numerous accompanying arrests that now comprise his official criminal record.

Fairey has often been accused of plagiarizing other artists' work. In some cases, even casual examination of these claims shows almost verbatim copying with little transformation. While some of the older, political propaganda works are in the public domain, others are not. The real issue seems to be that Fairey copyrights these appropriations, enforces his copyrights and profits from them.

Fairey also disappointed a segment of his fans by not remaining a cult figure and beginning to make money as an artist.

Conversely, his messages calling for social and political change are sincere, he donates heavily to causes and he keeps a staff of assistant artists gainfully employed. Note too that many parallels can be drawn between Fairey's image sources and those of Andy Warhol, who is now celebrated in the art world.

Only time will tell if Fairey attains Warholian status, but he has already gained a lasting place in history for the HOPE poster used during Barack Obama's 2008 US Presidential campaign.

ARTIST MEDIUM(S)

Graphic works comprised of stenciling, collage and screen printing.