Artist Statement
“The composition of "OBEY Hammer" is a classic example of work by Shepard Fairey that combines historic design elements and his identifiable iconography. The use of arrows and exclamation marks are a reference to Russian Constructivism, and Social Realist propaganda posters inspire the hammer and ribbon. Fairey also inserts his iconic imagery, the Obey Star, an element that borrows from the Soviet Flag that he created in 1996 alongside references to the key elements of the "Andre the Giant Has a Posse" sticker, "Seven Feet Four Inches" and "Five Hundred and Twenty Pounds." In an urban landscap
About This Print
Hammer (Large Format) is a 2019 Shepard Fairey screen print, published by Obey Giant in a signed, numbered first edition of 89, measuring 30 x 41 inches on Coventry Rag archival cotton paper with hand-deckled edges. It combines a hammer and ribbon inspired by Social Realist propaganda posters with arrows and exclamation marks referencing Russian Constructivism. Fairey inserts his Obey Star, borrowed from a Soviet-flag motif he created in 1996, alongside text from the "Andre the Giant Has a Posse" sticker, "Seven Feet Four Inches" and "Five Hundred and Twenty Pounds." The work uses communist-associated imagery to seize attention in an advertising-saturated landscape.
Market Context
No recorded public sales >= $100 - pieces like this are typically held long-term by investors/collectors, were destroyed or consumed, or do not surface on the open market.