Year1997
MediumScreen Print
Dimensions24 x 18 in
EditionFirst Edition
Edition size100
PublisherObey Giant
SeriesPolitical Series
EraEarly OBEY Era
Collector7/10
Visual7/10
Historical7/10
ScarcityScarce
Artist Statement
“CROWD 1 / CROWD 2 Screen Print 18 x 24 inches Edition of 100 For the propaganda series, I wanted to create symmetrical images that could be spread across two posters horizontally. Since I could only print 18 x 24" images by hand, I wanted to make larger images—diptychs—that could cover more space. It also saved money, because I could make just one piece of film for the image, print it, then flip the film for the mirror image but cut out the type so it wouldn't read backwards. Essentially, I got two posters for the price of one.” — Shepard Fairey
About This Print
Crowd 1 is a 1997 screen print published by Obey Giant in a first edition of 100, measuring 18 x 24 inches. It is the left-hand half of the Crowd 1 / Crowd 2 diptych. Fairey describes designing symmetrical images that could be spread horizontally across two posters; limited to printing 18 x 24 inch images by hand, he made a single piece of film, printed it, then flipped the film for the mirror image, cutting out the type so it would read correctly. The result is a propaganda-styled, money-and-power image of a crowd built to tile into a larger field.
Market Context
Estimated market value: 130.5. Observed range 104.4–156.6. Very limited recorded sales (1-2). Hypothetical estimate at ~15% flat annual growth (80-120% band) is INDICATIVE ONLY.