Gauntlet Gallery
What is Shepard Fairey’s piece called “God Bless Ozzy Osbourne”?
Artist Statement
18 x 24? Screen Print, Edition of 250. Signed by Shepard $55, also signed by Ozzy $80. Release Date: November 15, 2011 at a random time. SOLD OUT I’m a huge Ozzy and Black Sabbath fan, so when Jack Osbourne called me about doing the poster for a film he was working on about his dad, I was psyched to potentially contribute to the project. I watched a rough cut of “God Bless Ozzy Osbourne” and I was very impressed with how the film balanced its examination of Ozzy’s musical legacy and personal life. Sometimes it’s better not to know too much about your heroes, but this film gave me even more respect for Ozzy’s resilience in the face of various struggles. I’m amazed and amused that after hesitantly abandoning my punk rock orthodoxy in the 80's to say to my punk friends “Black Sabbath and Motorhead rock… and they are great to skate to!” that 25 years later I’m able to contribute to Ozzy’s legacy. Thanks Jack.
Summary
God Bless Ozzy Osbourne is a 2011 screen print by Shepard Fairey, published by Obey Giant in an edition of 250 measuring 18 x 24 inches. Created as the poster for a documentary film about Ozzy Osbourne, it was offered signed by Shepard for $55 and signed by both Shepard and Ozzy for $80. The source notes it was sold out at its November 15, 2011 release. Fairey, a self-described Ozzy and Black Sabbath fan, made the print after Jack Osbourne invited him to contribute to the film, giving the work a personal connection to his musical heroes.
Why It Matters
God Bless Ozzy Osbourne sits within Fairey's substantial body of music-portrait prints and reflects the personal fandom that drives so much of his music-related work. Created as the official poster for a documentary about Ozzy Osbourne, the print connects Fairey to a heavy-metal and hard-rock lineage he openly credits as formative, recounting how he abandoned punk orthodoxy in the 1980s to embrace Black Sabbath and Motorhead. The dual-signature option, available signed by both Fairey and Ozzy Osbourne himself for $80, is a notable feature that elevates a subset of the edition with the subject's own autograph, a rare collaborative authentication that adds significant collector appeal. With an edition of just 250 and a documented sold-out status at release, it is a tighter, more sought-after music print than many of Fairey's larger editions. The film tie-in, via an invitation from Jack Osbourne, grounds the work in a real documentary project rather than a generic tribute. For collectors, the print bridges Fairey's art and the broader history of rock music, and the Ozzy-signed variant in particular represents a scarce intersection of two cultural figures, making it a standout among his 2011 music releases.
Collector Perspective
This print is a magnet for collectors who sit at the intersection of Fairey's art and rock-music memorabilia, especially Ozzy Osbourne and Black Sabbath fans. The dual-signature variant, signed by both Fairey and Ozzy, holds particular appeal as a scarce object autographed by the subject himself, commanding premium interest. With an edition of 250 and a documented sold-out status, it is harder to acquire than many of Fairey's larger music editions, rewarding collectors who prioritize scarcity. The 18 x 24 inch format displays well alongside his other band portraits and gig posters, making it a strong fit for a music-themed Fairey grouping or a broader rock memorabilia collection.
Historical Context
God Bless Ozzy Osbourne belongs to Fairey's extensive run of music-portrait prints and his 2011 Obey Giant output. Made as the poster for a documentary about Ozzy Osbourne at the invitation of Jack Osbourne, it reflects Fairey's deep personal connection to hard rock and metal, which he traces back to abandoning strict punk orthodoxy in the 1980s. The availability of an Ozzy-signed variant marks an unusual collaborative authentication within his catalogue. As a smaller-edition, sold-out music print, it exemplifies how Fairey's fandom-driven commissions intersected with film and music projects during this era, reinforcing his role as both artist and participant in music culture.
FAQ
What was this print made for?
It was created as the poster for a documentary film about Ozzy Osbourne. Fairey, a self-described Ozzy and Black Sabbath fan, made it after Jack Osbourne invited him to contribute to the project. It released on November 15, 2011.
Were there different signed versions?
Yes. The print was offered signed by Shepard Fairey for $55, and a variant signed by both Shepard and Ozzy Osbourne was available for $80. The Ozzy-signed version adds the subject's own autograph, making it especially desirable to collectors.
What is the edition size?
It is an 18 x 24 inch screen print in an edition of 250. The source notes that the print was sold out at its November 15, 2011 release, making it harder to obtain than many of Fairey's larger music editions.
How does it connect to Fairey's background?
Fairey described being a huge Ozzy and Black Sabbath fan, recounting how he set aside punk orthodoxy in the 1980s to embrace Black Sabbath and Motorhead, and expressed pride at contributing to Ozzy's legacy 25 years later through this project.
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.