Gauntlet Gallery
What is Shepard Fairey’s piece called “Bayonettes”?
Artist Statement
BAYONETTES Screen Print 18 x 24 inches Edition of 300
Summary
Bayonettes is a 2006 Shepard Fairey screen print published by Obey Giant, measuring 18 x 24 inches in a First Edition of 300. Rendered in Fairey's high-contrast, propaganda-derived poster style, the print sits among his mid-2000s editions. The source description provides title, medium, dimensions, and edition size without further narrative detail. Its smaller 300-piece run and standard portrait-format size place it within Obey Giant's steady 2006 release schedule of screen-printed editions.
Why It Matters
Bayonettes is part of the consistent stream of 2006 screen prints Obey Giant issued, and while the source record gives limited descriptive detail, its place in that release cycle is what makes it relevant to collectors. The First Edition of 300 is a smaller run than several of Fairey's same-period editions, which generally supports collector interest within his broad catalog. The militaristic title aligns with Fairey's recurring engagement with imagery of conflict and propaganda, a vocabulary he has long used to critique and recontextualize power and warfare, though the record itself does not elaborate on the print's specific message. For collectors, Bayonettes functions well as part of a 2006 grouping alongside companion releases from the same period, several of which share its size and edition scale. Its value rests on series context and its relatively tight run rather than on a documented standout narrative. Because the source description is sparse, claims about its specific imagery or intent should be made cautiously, and the print is best understood as a representative mid-2000s Obey Giant edition.
Collector Perspective
Bayonettes appeals to collectors building breadth across Fairey's mid-2000s output and to those drawn to his propaganda-inflected, conflict-themed imagery. The First Edition of 300 places it in an accessible tier while offering a tighter run than some contemporaries. At 18 x 24 inches it frames easily and slots neatly into a 2006 Obey Giant grouping alongside companion prints of similar size and edition. Because the source detail is limited, it is best approached as a representative period piece rather than a marquee image; collectors who value catalog completeness and the propaganda aesthetic will find it a sensible addition to a broader Fairey collection.
Historical Context
Bayonettes dates to June 2006, within Fairey's productive mid-2000s period when Obey Giant was releasing screen-printed editions on a regular schedule. The title's reference to bayonets aligns with Fairey's long-running interest in militaristic and propaganda imagery, which he repurposes to comment on power and conflict, though the record does not detail this print's specific framing. The work predates Fairey's 2008 mainstream breakout and belongs to the phase when his editions were expanding in both volume and thematic range. As a 2006 First Edition of 300, it documents the rhythm and scale of Obey Giant's output during this period more than any singular career milestone.
FAQ
What is Bayonettes?
It is a 2006 Shepard Fairey screen print published by Obey Giant, measuring 18 x 24 inches in a First Edition of 300. The source provides title, medium, dimensions, and edition size but limited further description. It is dated June 5, 2006.
How large is the edition?
It is a First Edition of 300 screen prints, a smaller run than several of Fairey's contemporaneous 2006 editions. No additional editions are listed in the record.
What are the dimensions and medium?
It is a screen print measuring 18 x 24 inches, published by Obey Giant in 2006. The recorded release price was 30 dollars.
What does the print depict?
The source record does not include a detailed description beyond the title, so specifics of the imagery are not documented here. The militaristic title aligns broadly with Fairey's recurring conflict and propaganda themes.
Related Works
About the Artist
Shepard Fairey (b. 1970, Charleston, South Carolina) is an American street artist, graphic designer, and activist, and a graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design. His 1989 “André the Giant Has a Posse” sticker grew into the global OBEY GIANT campaign — an ongoing experiment in propaganda, obedience, and visual culture. He reached worldwide recognition with the 2008 “Hope” portrait of Barack Obama, now held by the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery. Across screen prints, stencils, murals, and collage, Fairey channels propaganda aesthetics toward themes of peace, justice, environmentalism, and civil rights. His work is in the collections of the Museum of Modern Art, the Victoria & Albert Museum, and LACMA.