MY FLORIST IS A DICK

Work Summary & Collector Notes

According to co-curator of “Facing the Giant: Three Decades of Dissent,” Pedro Alonzo: This work points out society’s blindness to a rigged system and systemic abuse of power. The use of the sinister soldier-like police officer in riot gear mirrors the riots in Ferguson, Missouri caused by the fatal shooting of 18-year-old Michael Brown by police officer Darren Wilson. The image builds on a previous piece, “I’m Gonna Kick Your Ass and Get Away With It,” which deals with Fairey’s personal experience with police brutality. Having been jailed for putting art in public space, the artist has intimate knowledge of police brutality. Apart from being struck in the face by an officer while handcuffed, Fairey, a type 1 diabetic, has been denied insulin while incarcerated; a life-threatening situation. The artist explains that the title, “My Florist is a Dick,” is an ironic statement referring to the surprise we’d feel if the local florist was a “sadistic asshole,” but that we should not be surprised that “cops are often dicks who abuse power.” The flower inserted into the end of the baton is a metaphor Fairey uses to convey non-violent protest. The skull under the riot helmet is a reference to John Carpenter’s 1988 film, “They Live,” in which an alien elite rules the planet. They control humanity through the use of subliminal messaging in advertising. My Florist is a Dick. Serigraph on 100% Cotton Custom Archival Paper with hand-deckled edges. 30 x 41 inches. Signed by Shepard Fairey. Numbered edition of 89. Comes with a certificate of authenticity. SOLD OUT. Available Tuesday, June 25th @ 10 AM PDT at store.obeygiant.com/collections/prints . Max order: 1 per customer/household. *Orders are not guaranteed as demand is high and inventory is limited.* Multiple orders will be refunded. International customers are responsible for import fees due upon delivery.⁣ ALL SALES FINAL.

Collector notes: Edition of 89; saved release record states an edition size of 89. 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 Nature and floral symbolism for discovery; that category is a navigation aid, not an authentication conclusion.

Documented Release Details

Object type

Editioned print or object

Release date

2019

Release-date note

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

Medium and materials

30 inches by 41 inches.

Edition details

Edition of 89; saved release record states an edition size of 89.

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 2019 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.