Artist Statement
“This "Sunset as the Fall Approaches" print is inspired by a beautiful but ominous sunset I photographed, along with the jarring juxtaposition of oil drilling platforms off the coast of Santa Barbara. In 1969 the largest (at the time) oil spill happened at the Union Oil platform near Santa Barbara. The environmental devastation was significant enough to spark a movement and several pieces of environmental regulation. In the Santa Barbara spill, the damage from oil was painfully visible in the dead seabirds, dolphins, and other wildlife. What was not directly visible and what scientists were on
About This Print
Sunset As The Fall Approaches is a 2023 Shepard Fairey screen print, 24 x 18 inches, on thick cream Speckletone paper, published by Obey Giant in a signed, numbered first edition of 550. The image is inspired by a sunset Fairey photographed alongside oil drilling platforms off the coast of Santa Barbara, referencing the major 1969 Union Oil platform spill that helped spark the environmental movement and new regulation. Fairey contrasts the visible damage of oil spills with the less visible effects of burning fossil fuels on global temperatures, urging that fragile ecosystems be preserved for future generations. A portion of proceeds benefits Greenpeace USA, and the print includes a Verisart digital certificate of authenticity.
Market Context
Estimated market value: 149.34. Observed range 100.0–288.88. Latest recorded sale: 2025-12-05. Value is the median of recorded public sales (>= $100); low-high shows the observed sale range.