What is Shepard Fairey’s piece called “These Parties Disgust Me”?

Artist Statement

Edition of 450, 18 x 24, Signed and Numbered, $45 On Sale Friday, 4/2/10

Summary

These Parties Disgust Me is an 18 x 24 inch screen print published by Obey Giant in 2010, a signed and numbered first edition of 450 released April 2, 2010 at $45. The title carries a pointed, satirical edge, suggesting a critique aimed at social or political gatherings, rendered in Fairey's bold graphic poster style. With an edition of 450, it is one of the larger and more accessible releases in this group. The source provides only edition and release details, so the precise imagery and target of the critique are not specified beyond the suggestive title.

Why It Matters

These Parties Disgust Me is notable for its provocative, editorial title, which signals the satirical and critical voice that runs through much of Fairey's work even outside his most overtly political pieces. The phrasing invites readings around social pretension or political theater, aligning the print with Fairey's broader habit of using slogan-driven typography to needle established power and culture. At an edition of 450 and an original price of $45, it was one of the more accessible releases of its moment, making it an approachable entry point for collectors drawn to Fairey's wittier, message-forward output. The larger edition size means it is less scarce than many of his pattern and portrait works from the same period, which can make it easier to acquire. Because the source is limited to edition and release facts, the specific imagery and exact target of the critique are not documented here, so collectors should treat interpretation of the message cautiously. Still, the title alone places it within Fairey's tradition of confrontational, text-driven commentary, and it rewards collectors who value the artist's satirical and rhetorical sensibility as much as his visual iconography.

Collector Perspective

This print appeals to collectors who gravitate to Fairey's satirical, text-forward pieces and his pointed commentary on social and political culture. The bold title makes it a conversation-starting wall piece that reads from across a room. With an edition of 450 and a modest original price, it is one of the more attainable works in this group, suiting newer collectors or those building breadth in Fairey's catalog rather than chasing only small editions. At 18 x 24 inches it is an easy-to-frame format. It fits a collection organized around Fairey's critical and rhetorical output, though buyers should note the source does not fully describe the imagery, so its precise theme is best read with some caution.

Historical Context

Released April 2, 2010, These Parties Disgust Me sits within Fairey's dense 2009 to 2010 catalog of Obey Giant screen prints spanning music, pattern, and commentary works. Its editorial title aligns with Fairey's long-running use of slogan-driven typography to deliver social and political critique, a device central to his practice since his early street work. Within his arc, the print represents the satirical, message-forward strand of his output that coexists with his portraits and decorative patterns. Because the source documents only edition and release data, its exact place relative to specific events or targets is not established here, and its historical reading is grounded mainly in the suggestive title and its general fit within Fairey's commentary tradition.

FAQ

Related Works

Defiant Youth2009 · Earlier commentary-driven print sharing the rebellious, critical tone.

Your Eyes Here2010 · Concurrent 2010 Obey Giant release in the same catalog period.

Burmese Monk2009 · Adjacent socially engaged print from the same broader output.

Basquiat Canvas Print2010 · Concurrent 2010 Obey Giant release within the same grouping.

Venice Pattern Set2009 · Same-era Obey Giant release providing catalog context for the period.