America's Favorite (Red)

Work Summary & Collector Notes

I have been an environmental advocate and supporter of clean energy and conservation for many years, leading me to make several art pieces dealing with these topics as well. In my “May Day” show I wanted to address current issues and also celebrate some of my favorite artists, musicians, and activists from the past. With my flag series I was referencing Jasper Johns, other images reference Warhol and Rauschenberg. This “America’s Favorite” gas station image was created before the BP spill as a way to comment on our addiction to oil and suggest that it should be in its twilight, but also to pay tribute to artist Ed Ruscha and his beautiful “Standard Station” series of paintings and prints. There is an emotional sense of nostalgia and Americana conjured by an iconic gas station, maybe even a sense of freedom and exploration. However, we all know that nostalgia can be the enemy of progress. Oil extraction is a dead end. I was just in Portland Oregon for two weeks, and that city is proof that people can change their energy and consumption habits. Yes, there was a bit of self-righteousness to some of the environmentalism, but withstanding that, the place overall is very healthy, friendly, and conscientious. Aside from not being able to get Equal for my coffee (I’m type 1 diabetic, and sugar is bad for me) I did not find my lifestyle at all compromised by Portland’s environmentalism. In the wake of the BP spill the “America’s Favorite” gas station image is even more relevant. I will be donating a portion of the proceeds from this print to the NRDC-¦ Natural Resources Defense Council. I will also be releasing a couple prints inspired by the Gulf of Mexico spill and will be donating to charities helping with the cleanup there. Look out for those in coming weeks. If you don’t know Ed Ruscha’s work check it out. www.edruscha.com -Shepard

Collector notes: Edition of 400; saved release record states an edition size of 400. 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 Civil rights and justice for discovery; that category is a navigation aid, not an authentication conclusion.

Documented Release Details

Object type

Editioned screenprint

Release date

2010

Release-date note

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

Medium and materials

Screen Print; catalog dimensions 18 x 24 inches.

Edition details

Edition of 400; saved release record states an edition size of 400.

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 2010 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.