Artist Statement
“I've been a big fan of the band Franz Ferdinand since they first hit the scene in 2003. Stylistically, Franz mixes a pinch of glam rock, a nice serving of post-punk and a bit of dance-punk to create a sound that is irresistibly infectious. The band is undeniably stylish in their fashion and their album artwork which is frequently inspired by Russian Constructivism, one of my biggest inspirations as well. The lyrics of singer Alex Kapranos are witty, charming, and often insightful about human nature. Franz Ferdinand is a band of style and substance. I met the Franz guys at a gig in L.A. a few
About This Print
Demagogue is an 18-by-24-inch screen print on cream Speckle Tone paper, published by Obey Giant in 2016, signed by Shepard Fairey and issued in a numbered edition of 500. The work is a collaboration with the band Franz Ferdinand to accompany their song 'Demagogue.' Fairey describes drawing on Orwell's 1984, its Big Brother and double-speak imagery, to create a pointed critique of a political demagogue ahead of that year's election. Blending music collaboration with political commentary, the print channels Russian Constructivist influence into a charged statement on the politics of fear versus inclusion.
Market Context
Estimated market value: 650.0. Observed range 100.0–1000.0. Latest recorded sale: 2026-01-06. Value is the median of recorded public sales (>= $100); low-high shows the observed sale range.