American Rage

Work Summary & Collector Notes

This “American Rage” print is based on a photo by Ted Soqui , taken in South Central on August 15, 2014 during a Black Lives Matter protest. The movement was in it’s first year and were demonstrating against LAPD and Sheriff shootings of unarmed black men. This image is equally emblematic of the current wave of protests for racial justice and police reform that the nation has been experiencing in the wake of the murder of George Floyd by the Minneapolis police. I remember at the time, 28 years ago, feeling enraged that blatant acts of police brutality inflicted on Rodney King went unpunished when they were clearly captured on video. I was ecstatic that enough people were distressed by what happened to George Floyd, and what has happened to countless unarmed people of color at the hands of the police, to hit the streets in peaceful protest. Protest is a noble use of free speech, protected as a civil right, and is as American as apple pie. This “American Rage” image is a celebration of protest as a form of civic participation in democracy. I don’t ever condone violence or looting, but I understand why things can reach a boiling point, resulting in riots, when people feel that the American system has failed them over and over. Martin Luther King Jr. said “A riot is the language of the unheard”. King also condemned politicians who “are more devoted to order than justice”. I urge people not to conflate peaceful protest with “criminal agitation” or “inciting a riot.” When the system fails the people, it is nothing short of patriotic for the people to protest for a solution. Proceeds from this print benefit Black Lives Matter . American Rage. 24 x 36 inches. Offset print on cream Speckletone paper. Original photo by Ted Soqui . Signed by Shepard Fairey. $45. Proceeds go to Black Lives Matter . Available on Thursday, July 9th @ 10 AM PDT at https://store.obeygiant.com/collections/prints . International customers are responsible for import fees due upon delivery.⁣ Orders may

Collector notes: Legacy catalog label: Open Edition; total quantity was not documented in the saved record. Edition-specific signature, numbering, and stamp details were not stated in the saved release record. Verify signing and numbering against a documented example of this edition. Gauntlet groups this work under Peace and anti-war for discovery; that category is a navigation aid, not an authentication conclusion.

Documented Release Details

Object type

Editioned print or object

Release date

2020

Release-date note

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

Medium and materials

24 inches by 36 inches.

Edition details

Legacy catalog label: Open Edition; total quantity was not documented in the saved record.

Signature and marks

Edition-specific signature, numbering, and stamp details were not stated in the saved release record. Verify signing and numbering 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: Fairey's practice combines propaganda-style imagery, political and countercultural themes, and a recurring OBEY vocabulary. Subject-specific intent is not assumed here unless the release record states it. This interpretive note follows the cited artist or publisher context.

Release context: The saved catalog lists 2020 and attributes the edition to Obey Giant.

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.