Gauntlet Gallery
What is Shepard Fairey’s piece called “Billy Idol”?
Artist Statement
Check out that peroxided spiky hair do… no, it’s not one of the millions of copy cats spawned by the White Wedding video, it is the real BILLY IDOL. Our resident photographer shot lots of photos of us signing prints and hanging out, but then bailed for Mexico with the photos on his laptop. Now that’s what I call a BOLD STRATEGY! Anyway, I did the album package for Billy’s greatest hits album and a screen printed poster to go along with it. The prints are signed by me and Billy. The edition is 400. They are $50. Billy’s album Idolize Yourself comes out June 24. It contains all the classics plus some good new songs. The new wave meets propaganda package alone makes it worth picking up. I also got to interview Billy and we may put some of that up on YOUTUBE. Stay tuned. -Shepard
Summary
Billy Idol is a 2008 Shepard Fairey screen print published by Obey Giant, measuring 18 x 24 inches in a signed edition of 400. Fairey created the artwork for Billy Idol's greatest-hits album Idolize Yourself, along with this companion screen-printed poster. The prints are signed by both Fairey and Billy Idol and were priced at $50. The design presents a stylized portrait of the musician, with Fairey describing the package as a fusion of new wave and propaganda aesthetics.
Why It Matters
Billy Idol stands out because it is a true artist-musician collaboration: Fairey designed the album package for Idol's greatest-hits release Idolize Yourself and produced this companion poster, with each print co-signed by both Fairey and Idol. Dual-signed prints are comparatively uncommon and carry added appeal for collectors who prize the direct connection between a major street artist and a recognizable rock figure. The work also exemplifies Fairey's stated 'new wave meets propaganda' approach, fusing his bold political-poster vocabulary with the visual energy of 1980s music. For collectors of Fairey's music portraits, it is a flagship example because it pairs a famous subject with documented collaboration and co-signing rather than a simple tribute. Released in 2008 during one of Fairey's busiest and most visible years, the print reflects how his rising profile attracted commercial music partnerships even as he pursued political work. The portrait format, the co-signature, and the tie to a real album make Billy Idol both visually striking and well-documented, qualities that elevate it above more routine releases and give it lasting interest within Fairey's catalog of musician collaborations.
Collector Perspective
This print is a natural fit for collectors of Fairey's music portraits and for fans of Billy Idol and 1980s new wave. The dual signature from both Fairey and Idol is a key selling point, distinguishing it from single-signed releases and appealing to those who value provenance and collaboration. Its bold portrait composition makes a strong centerpiece on a wall, and the documented tie to the Idolize Yourself album gives it a clear story. At a signed edition of 400 it remains reasonably attainable, making it a satisfying acquisition for anyone building a music-portrait grouping or seeking a recognizable crossover between fine-art printmaking and rock memorabilia.
Historical Context
Released in June 2008 through Obey Giant, Billy Idol coincides with Fairey's surge in visibility and his growing roster of music collaborations. He designed the package for Idol's greatest-hits album Idolize Yourself, which the record notes was released June 24, and produced this co-signed poster alongside it. The work illustrates Fairey's self-described 'new wave meets propaganda' synthesis, applying his propaganda-poster style to a 1980s music icon. The collaboration, including co-signing by the musician and Fairey's mention of an interview he conducted with Idol, situates the print within his broader practice of partnering with musicians whose rebellious or countercultural image aligned with his aesthetic during this prolific period of his career.
FAQ
Is the Billy Idol print signed?
Yes. According to the record, the prints are signed by both Shepard Fairey and Billy Idol, making it a dual-signed collaboration. It is an 18 x 24 inch screen print in a signed edition of 400, originally priced at $50.
What was this print made for?
Fairey designed the album package for Billy Idol's greatest-hits album Idolize Yourself and created this companion screen-printed poster to accompany it. The record notes the album was released June 24, 2008.
How large is the edition?
It is a signed edition of 400, published by Obey Giant in 2008. The print measures 18 x 24 inches and was originally priced at $50, per the source description.
What style does it use?
Fairey describes the project as a 'new wave meets propaganda' package, applying his bold propaganda-poster graphic style to a stylized portrait of Billy Idol, the 1980s music icon.
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.