I’ve been a big fan of Shepard Fairey since the days of slapping Andre Has a Posse stickers on my skate-decks. He obviously is getting much deserved attention after years of hard work. Especially since his iconic Obama image has made a place in history. Below is a quick video of Shepard Fairey talking about his work and thoughts on street art. I especially dig this quote. “The argument that graffiti as an eyesore and that advertising is OK because it’s paid for, seems a little bit ridiculous”.
Shepard Fairey Speaks About His Art
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I think people would be more tolerant of graffiti if all graffiti artists were as talented as Shepard Fairy. There’s definitely a huge difference between art and defacing public property.
Agree. There is a huge community of street artist that do stellar work, check out woostercollective.com. Street art vs. the random vandal is a given.
In response to a FB conversation since it relates to this post, I’m reposting it.
A good friend said,
Cool video, Corey. Graffiti is fascinating. When he admitted to being motivated by a desire to get away with something illegal, do you think it lowered the aesthetic value of his work?
Me
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Great Point. There is of course a difference in graffiti as street art vs. the tagging vandal. That comment did make me think, he may have a bit of vandal in his veins. I don’t think it neccessrily devalues it, his work has done much to push “street art” forward to gain acceptance in the mainstream as legitimate art. Sounds like hes got a bit of old school before it was mainstream skater rebel still in his blood. I can relate