Gauntlet Gallery
What is Shepard Fairey’s piece called “Lotus Album Cover (Large Format)”?
Artist Statement
Serigraph, Signed and Numbered Edition of 40. Printed on 100% cotton rag archival paper with deckled edges, 42 x 42 inches. $500. Release Date: 4/28/ 11
Summary
Lotus Album Cover (Large Format) is a 2011 Shepard Fairey serigraph published by Obey Giant, released April 28, 2011 in a signed and numbered large-format edition of just 40 at 42 x 42 inches, priced at $500. It is printed on 100% cotton rag archival paper with deckled edges. The square album-cover format and lotus motif combine Fairey's decorative floral symbolism with a music-packaging concept, part of a coordinated large-format album-cover series. Its small edition and substantial scale distinguish it from his standard 18 x 24 inch releases.
Why It Matters
Lotus Album Cover anchors a deluxe, large-format series in which Fairey reimagined imagery as oversized, square album-cover artworks, each issued in a tiny edition of 40 on premium archival stock. The 42 x 42 inch scale and deckled-edge cotton rag paper mark this as a high-end, gallery-grade object rather than a routine accessible release, and the edition of 40 makes it meaningfully scarcer than the hundreds-strong editions Fairey typically produced. The lotus motif ties it to his enduring use of floral and botanical symbolism, imagery that recurs across his catalog and carries connotations of growth and serenity within his otherwise hard-edged graphic language. Released as part of a cohesive album-cover suite, it also reflects Fairey's deep engagement with music culture and record-sleeve aesthetics, a thread running through much of his work. For collectors, the appeal is the combination of scale, scarcity, materials, and motif: a large, limited, museum-quality serigraph that functions as a statement piece. It rewards serious buyers seeking a centerpiece rather than an entry-level Fairey print, and it stands apart from his more numerous standard editions.
Collector Perspective
This targets serious collectors seeking a centerpiece, given its 42 x 42 inch scale, edition of only 40, and $500 release price on archival cotton rag with deckled edges. Its size makes it a dominant wall statement rather than a grouping piece, ideal for collectors with space to feature it. The lotus floral motif appeals to those drawn to Fairey's decorative and botanical imagery, while the album-cover concept attracts collectors interested in his music-related work. As one of a coordinated large-format suite, it suits buyers assembling that premium series. The small edition and quality materials give it standing among Fairey's higher-tier, gallery-grade releases.
Historical Context
Lotus Album Cover (Large Format) belongs to a 2011 suite of oversized, square album-cover serigraphs Fairey released in tight editions of 40, a deliberate step up in scale and production quality from his standard editions. The album-cover framing reflects Fairey's lifelong immersion in music and record-sleeve design, a sensibility shaped by punk and hip-hop aesthetics that informs much of his graphic work. The lotus motif continues his recurring floral symbolism, while the use of 100% cotton rag archival paper with deckled edges signals an intent to produce collector-grade, gallery-quality objects. Within his arc, this series represents the more rarefied, premium end of his 2011 print program, contrasting with the accessible billboard editions he was simultaneously releasing for broad audiences.
FAQ
How large is the edition for Lotus Album Cover (Large Format)?
It is a signed and numbered large-format edition of just 40, considerably smaller than Fairey's typical editions. The serigraph measures 42 x 42 inches and was released by Obey Giant on April 28, 2011, at a price of $500.
What paper and materials were used?
According to the source, it is printed on 100% cotton rag archival paper with deckled edges at 42 x 42 inches. These premium materials, combined with the small edition of 40, position it as a collector-grade, gallery-quality serigraph rather than a standard accessible release.
Is this part of a larger series?
Yes. It belongs to a 2011 suite of large-format album-cover serigraphs, all issued in editions of 40 at 42 x 42 inches, including the Nouveau, Megaphone, Jukebox, Printing Press, and Enchanting Sounds covers released around the same date.
What does the imagery depict?
The work uses a lotus floral motif within an album-cover format, combining Fairey's recurring botanical symbolism with his interest in music and record-sleeve design. The source lists collaborations/pop culture as primary and nature and floral symbolism as secondary themes.
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.