Proud Parents (Large Format)

Work Summary & Collector Notes

Proud Parents is a 2019 large-format screen print by Shepard Fairey, published by Obey Giant in a signed, numbered edition of 89 measuring 30 x 41 inches on Coventry Rag 100% cotton archival paper with hand-deckled edges. The image co-opts the aesthetic of paper currency in a deliberately vintage design: a smiling couple cradles a bomb as if it were their child, the loving tableau surrounded by verbal puns that undermine their optimism. Fairey uses the imagery of the middle-class American family to render a dystopian commentary on skewed national values and the role of money and military spending in shaping them.

Collector notes: First Edition · Large Format; saved release record states an edition size of 89. The saved release record describes: signed; numbered. Verify each feature against a documented example of this edition. Gauntlet groups this work under Collaborations and pop culture for discovery; that category is a navigation aid, not an authentication conclusion.

Historical Context

In the artist's words / from the release record:

“Motivated by his long-held interests in using art to encourage critical awareness and dissent, in this print the artist co-opts the aesthetic of currency and popular tropes of the middle class to render a dystopian view of the American family. Created during the second term of the George W. Bush presidency, this print questions the increasingly skewed national values of this country and the role of money in furthering that condition. With a deliberately vintage design, a couple cradles a bomb as if their child. Their loving and optimistic display, however, is surrounded by verbal puns that un

Documented Release Details

Object type

Editioned screenprint

Release date

2019-08-06

Release-date note

Catalog-listed release year/date from the saved secondary record; primary release-page confirmation remains pending.

Series

Political Series

Medium and materials

Screen Print; catalog dimensions 41 x 30 in; archival paper noted in the release description.

Edition details

First Edition · Large Format; saved release record states an edition size of 89.

Signature and marks

The saved release record describes: signed; numbered. Verify each feature against a documented example of this edition.

Documented History and Meaning

History note: Shepard Fairey's OBEY / Andre the Giant campaign began in 1989 and grew into a long print and public-art practice; this page treats that as career context, not proof that this specific edition belongs to any single exhibition.

Meaning / interpretation: In the artist's or release record's own words: “Motivated by his long-held interests in using art to encourage critical awareness and dissent, in this print the artist co-opts the aesthetic of currency and popular tropes of the middle class to render a dystopian view of the American family. Created during the second term of the George W. Bush presidency, this print questions the increasingly skewed national values of this country and the role of money in furthering that condition. With a deliberately vintage design, a couple cradles a bomb as if their child. Their loving and optimistic display, however, is surrounded by verbal puns that un. This can be read as the documented intent for the work; no additional endorsement is assumed. This interpretive note follows the cited artist or publisher context.

Release context: The saved catalog lists 2019-08-06 and attributes the edition to Obey Giant. It is grouped under Political Series in the saved record. The saved record notes an original release price of USD $900.00.

Authentication, Presentation and Provenance

Original presentation

Original packaging or presentation was not documented in the release sources reviewed.

Authentication note

Compare the support, dimensions, edition number, and signature against a documented example of this edition. Gauntlet Gallery does not authenticate works purchased from third parties.

Provenance note

Edition origin is attributed in the saved record to Obey Giant. That does not establish the ownership history of an individual copy: retain the original invoice, reseller or gallery paperwork, labels, correspondence, and condition photographs.

Sources and Verification

Verification status: Secondary catalog snapshot; artist-level context added

1. Saved release record — Art Collectorz · secondary catalog snapshot · Accessed 2026-07-13 · Starting record for title, date, edition, dimensions, medium, release price, and release description. Primary confirmation against the original release page remains pending.
2. About — Shepard Fairey / OBEY GIANT — Obey Giant · primary artist source · Accessed 2026-07-13 · Official OBEY GIANT artist biography and career context; it is not an individual-edition record.
3. Shepard Fairey — Wikipedia · reference encyclopedia · Accessed 2026-07-13 · General artist-level biographical and career reference.
4. Shepard Fairey (Q1142847) — Wikidata · reference knowledge base · Accessed 2026-07-13 · Structured identifier used for the artist across catalog metadata.