Gauntlet Gallery
What is Shepard Fairey’s piece called “This Is A Poster (First Edition)”?
Artist Statement
Screen Print 18 x 24 inches Edition of 300 $30
Summary
This Is A Poster (First Edition) is a 2006 Shepard Fairey screen print published by Obey Giant, measuring 18 x 24 inches in a First Edition of 300. The source description lists medium, dimensions, and edition size without further narrative. The self-referential title points to Fairey's poster-art practice itself, rendered in his graphic, propaganda-derived style. Its standard portrait format and 300-piece run place it within Obey Giant's regular 2006 release schedule of screen-printed editions.
Why It Matters
This Is A Poster (First Edition) carries a self-referential, almost conceptual title that nods to Fairey's identity as a poster artist, though the source record offers limited descriptive detail about the image itself. Within Fairey's catalog, knowingly meta titles fit his long engagement with the language of advertising, propaganda, and the poster as a medium, and this 2006 release sits comfortably in that tradition. The First Edition of 300 is a moderate run for the period, smaller than several of his same-year editions, which generally supports steady collector interest. As one of multiple 2006 screen prints sharing the same size and edition scale, it works well as part of a coordinated mid-2000s grouping rather than as a standalone marquee image. For collectors, its appeal lies in the wink of its title and its fit within a representative set of Fairey's poster-format editions from this productive period. Because the source description is sparse, statements about its specific imagery should remain cautious; the print is best understood as a characteristic Obey Giant edition from 2006 whose interest derives from format, edition scale, and its self-aware nod to Fairey's chosen medium.
Collector Perspective
This print appeals to collectors who appreciate Fairey's self-aware engagement with the poster medium and who are building breadth across his mid-2000s editions. The First Edition of 300 sits in an accessible tier while offering a tighter run than some contemporaries. At 18 x 24 inches it frames easily and pairs naturally with the cluster of 2006 Obey Giant prints that share its size and edition scale, making it a sensible component of a coordinated period grouping. Because the source detail is limited, it is best valued for its place in the catalog and the conceptual charm of its title rather than for a documented standout image.
Historical Context
This Is A Poster (First Edition) dates to July 2006, within Fairey's busy mid-2000s output when Obey Giant issued screen-printed editions on a steady schedule. The self-referential title reflects Fairey's ongoing dialogue with the poster as both medium and message, a thread that runs through his propaganda-influenced practice. The print predates his 2008 mainstream breakout and belongs to the phase when his editions were expanding in volume and range. As a 2006 First Edition of 300 sharing format and scale with several companion releases, it documents the cadence of Obey Giant's production during this period rather than marking a singular career moment.
FAQ
What is This Is A Poster (First Edition)?
It is a 2006 Shepard Fairey screen print published by Obey Giant, measuring 18 x 24 inches in a First Edition of 300. The self-referential title nods to Fairey's poster practice. It is dated July 3, 2006.
How large is the edition?
It is a First Edition of 300 screen prints, a moderate run smaller than several of Fairey's same-year 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 show?
The source record does not include a detailed description beyond title and specifications, so the precise imagery is not documented here. The title itself plays on Fairey's identity as a poster artist.
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.