Gauntlet Gallery
What is Shepard Fairey’s piece called “Spider Lily”?
Artist Statement
Spider Lily Print, 24 x 18, Edition 450, S/N, Released at 11/5
Summary
Spider Lily is a 2009 Shepard Fairey screen print published by Obey Giant, released November 5, 2009. It is a signed and numbered first edition of 450, measuring 24 by 18 inches. The title points to a floral subject, consistent with Fairey's recurring use of botanical and decorative motifs. The source provides edition, date, dimensions, and medium but no extended description of the imagery. It is a hand-pulled screen print in Fairey's accessible-multiple format within his prolific late-2009 output.
Why It Matters
Spider Lily belongs to Fairey's strand of floral and botanical imagery, a softer counterpoint to his overtly political work that nonetheless carries his signature decorative and symbolic styling. Flowers recur throughout his catalog as motifs of beauty, fragility, and ornament woven into his graphic vocabulary, and a print titled "Spider Lily" plausibly extends that tradition, though the source gives no detailed description to confirm specific symbolism. As a signed-and-numbered edition of 450 at a modest size, it fits the accessible-multiple model that defines this period of Obey Giant releases. Its release on November 5, 2009 places it in a dense cluster of late-2009 editions, and its floral subject gives collectors a decorative, display-friendly option within Fairey's body of work. The importance here is moderate: it is a well-documented studio multiple whose appeal rests on its botanical theme and clean format rather than on a landmark political statement. Caution is warranted on any symbolic claims given the limited descriptive source.
Collector Perspective
Spider Lily appeals to collectors who favor Fairey's floral and decorative works over his political imagery, offering a calmer, more ornamental piece that suits a wide range of interiors. The 24-by-18-inch format frames easily and pairs well with other botanical or pattern-based Fairey prints. As a signed-and-numbered edition of 450, it is an attainable acquisition for both newer collectors and those building a themed floral grouping. It also slots neatly into a complete run of Fairey's 2009 Obey Giant releases. Buyers should note the source lacks a full description, so confirming the exact imagery and condition before purchase is advisable.
Historical Context
Spider Lily was released in early November 2009, within Fairey's high-output post-"Hope" period of frequent Obey Giant editions. Its floral title links it to the decorative and botanical thread that runs across Fairey's catalog alongside his political output, reflecting how he balanced activist imagery with ornamental, pattern-driven work. The print sits in a tight sequence of late-2009 releases sharing format and edition scale. Without a detailed source description, it is best understood as part of that productive run and of Fairey's broader practice of incorporating floral motifs into his graphic language.
FAQ
What is Spider Lily?
Spider Lily is a Shepard Fairey screen print published by Obey Giant in 2009, released November 5, 2009. The title points to a floral subject, consistent with Fairey's recurring botanical motifs, though the source does not include a full description of the imagery.
What are the edition size and dimensions?
It is a signed and numbered first edition of 450, measuring 24 by 18 inches. The medium is screen print. These details come directly from the source record for the November 2009 release.
Is Spider Lily signed and numbered?
Yes. The source describes the edition as S/N, meaning each of the 450 prints was hand-signed and numbered. This is standard for Fairey's Obey Giant screen-print editions from this period.
How does Spider Lily fit Fairey's broader work?
Its floral title connects it to the decorative and botanical thread that runs across Fairey's catalog alongside his political prints. It is part of his prolific late-2009 Obey Giant output, offering a more ornamental subject than his activist imagery.
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.