Gauntlet Gallery
What is Shepard Fairey’s piece called “Zeppelin Mothership”?
Artist Statement
18 x 24 inch Screen Print Signed and Numbered. I was recently asked to do the package for Led Zeppelin’s two CD one DVD greatest hits package Mothership. Zep is one of my favorite bands of all time and if they aren’t one of yours, you need to check that your DNA is human. If my art is 1 percent as good as this band I’m in good shape. What I’m trying to say is that the opportunity for me to hitch a ride on the coat tails of such an influential band is an honor and a coup. I was also asked to make a limited run of screen prints. 400 to be exact, of which 100 are for sale on obeygiant.com and the rest will be sent out selectively by the band and label. One hand painted multiple on collage will be available at my Merry Karnowsky Gallery exhibition, IMPERFECT UNION, opening December 1st.
Summary
Zeppelin Mothership is a 2007 signed and numbered screen print by Shepard Fairey, published by Obey Giant in a first edition of 400 at 18 x 24 inches. Fairey created the artwork for Led Zeppelin's Mothership greatest-hits package, and the print derives from that commission. Of the 400 prints, 100 were sold on obeygiant.com and the rest distributed selectively by the band and label. Rendered in Fairey's OBEY graphic style, the work bridges his music-commission art and his collectible editioned prints.
Why It Matters
Zeppelin Mothership matters because it documents a direct, high-profile collaboration between Fairey and one of rock's most influential bands. According to the source, Fairey was asked to create the package artwork for Led Zeppelin's Mothership greatest-hits release, and this signed and numbered screen print derives from that commission. The work sits at the intersection of Fairey's OBEY iconography and the music world, making it a standout for collectors who value crossovers between street art and rock history. The print's distribution adds intrigue: of the 400 made, only 100 were offered on obeygiant.com, with the remainder distributed selectively by the band and label, meaning publicly available copies were limited. Fairey's own account frames the project as an honor and a coup, underscoring how meaningful the Led Zeppelin connection was to him. For collectors, this combination of a marquee music association, a contained edition, and a specific narrative of release makes Zeppelin Mothership a desirable piece. It exemplifies how Fairey leveraged his graphic identity into the music industry, producing collectible art that carries the weight of both his brand and a legendary band's legacy.
Collector Perspective
Zeppelin Mothership is a magnet for collectors who sit at the crossroads of street art and music memorabilia. The direct Led Zeppelin commission gives it appeal well beyond Fairey's core following, drawing in rock fans and music-art collectors. Because only 100 of the 400 prints were sold publicly on obeygiant.com, with the rest distributed by the band and label, available copies were comparatively limited, which heightens desirability. The 18 x 24 inch signed and numbered format frames cleanly and displays well alongside both music-themed art and other OBEY editions. For a collector building a music-collaboration grouping or seeking a recognizable name-brand crossover, this print is a high-interest, conversation-driving acquisition.
Historical Context
Zeppelin Mothership belongs to Fairey's 2007 Obey Giant period and illustrates his growing role as a sought-after artist for music projects. The source notes he was commissioned to design the package for Led Zeppelin's two-CD, one-DVD Mothership greatest-hits release, and that a hand-painted multiple on collage would be available at his Merry Karnowsky Gallery exhibition, Imperfect Union, opening December 1st. This situates the print within both his music-industry collaborations and his gallery exhibition activity at the time. The selective distribution through the band and label, alongside the limited obeygiant.com release, reflects how Fairey's commercial collaborations operated. The piece marks a moment when his graphic identity was being enlisted by major cultural institutions, extending OBEY's reach into mainstream music history.
FAQ
What is Zeppelin Mothership?
It is a 2007 signed and numbered screen print by Shepard Fairey, published by Obey Giant in a first edition of 400 at 18 x 24 inches. Fairey created the artwork for Led Zeppelin's Mothership greatest-hits package, and the print derives from that commission.
How were the prints distributed?
Of the 400 prints, the source states 100 were sold on obeygiant.com, with the remainder distributed selectively by the band and label. This means the publicly available portion was limited, which adds to the print's collectibility.
Why did Fairey make this print?
Fairey was asked to design the package for Led Zeppelin's two-CD, one-DVD Mothership greatest-hits release and to produce a limited run of screen prints. He described Led Zeppelin as one of his favorite bands and called the opportunity an honor and a coup.
Was there a related hand-painted version?
Yes. According to the source, one hand-painted multiple on collage was to be available at Fairey's Merry Karnowsky Gallery exhibition, Imperfect Union, which opened December 1st, tying the print to his gallery activity that year.
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.