What is Shepard Fairey’s piece called “May Day Flag”?

Artist Statement

18 x 24? Offset print, Signed and Numbered edition of 600, $35 Release Date: 5/1/2010

Summary

May Day Flag is an 18 x 24 inch offset lithograph published by Obey Giant in 2010, a signed and numbered first edition of 600 released May 1, 2010 at $35. Issued specifically on May Day, the print ties its subject to International Workers' Day and the labor movement, rendered in Fairey's bold graphic poster style. As an offset lithograph in a comparatively large edition of 600 at a low price point, it was among the most accessible releases of its moment. The source provides edition, format, and release details; the precise flag imagery is implied by the title and timing rather than fully described.

Why It Matters

May Day Flag connects directly to International Workers' Day through both its title and its May 1 release date, situating it within Fairey's recurring engagement with labor and social-justice themes. The flag motif evokes solidarity and collective action, the kind of populist imagery Fairey often deploys, and the deliberate timing of the release gives the work a clear thematic anchor. As an offset lithograph rather than a screen print, issued in a larger edition of 600 at a modest $35, it was designed for broad accessibility, consistent with the democratic, poster-for-the-people ethos that runs through Fairey's practice. That accessibility makes it an easy entry point for collectors interested in his political and labor-themed output. Because the source documents the format, edition, and timing but not the detailed imagery, collectors should read the specific visual content cautiously and lean on the title and release date for thematic context. Still, the May Day framing places the print firmly within Fairey's tradition of art tied to workers' movements and collective struggle, and its affordability and larger edition make it a practical, message-aligned addition to a collection focused on his labor and political work.

Collector Perspective

This print appeals to collectors of Fairey's political and labor-themed work and to those drawn to imagery of solidarity and collective action. As an affordable offset lithograph from a larger edition of 600, it is one of the more attainable pieces in this group, suiting newer collectors or those broadening a political-themed collection without chasing scarce editions. The May Day framing gives it clear thematic purpose, and the bold poster format displays well. At 18 x 24 inches it is an easy-to-frame size. It fits a collection organized around Fairey's labor, social-justice, and political output, though buyers should note the source describes format and timing more than specific imagery, so the visual details are best confirmed independently.

Historical Context

Released on May 1, 2010, May Day Flag is timed to International Workers' Day, anchoring it to the labor movement and to Fairey's recurring social-justice themes. As an offset lithograph in a larger, lower-priced edition, it reflects his interest in widely accessible, poster-style work in the populist tradition of political printmaking. It sits within his dense 2010 Obey Giant output alongside music, pattern, and commentary prints, representing the labor and solidarity strand of his practice. Because the source documents edition, format, and release timing rather than detailed imagery, its precise iconography is not established here, and its historical reading rests mainly on the May Day framing and its fit within Fairey's tradition of activist poster art.

FAQ

Related Works

Parlor Pattern Set (Cream)2010 · Same 2010 Obey Giant release period within the broader catalog.

Ornate Pattern (Black)2010 · Concurrent 2010 Obey Giant release providing catalog context.

Basquiat Canvas Print2010 · Same-year Obey Giant release within the same grouping.

Drop In The Bucket2011 · Adjacent-period Obey Giant print continuing the catalog thread.

Strummer Canvas Print2010 · Concurrent 2010 Obey Giant release in the same period.