Gauntlet Gallery
What is Shepard Fairey’s piece called “Occupy Protestor”?
Artist Statement
Edition of 450, 18"x24", signed and numbered by the artist and Sarah Mason. This image was used last year as front cover for the Time Magazine "Person Of The Year 2011"
Summary
Occupy Protestor is a 2012 print by Shepard Fairey, published by Obey Giant and released January 12, 2012. It is an 18 x 24 inch first edition of 450, signed and numbered by the artist and by Sarah Mason, originally $60. Per the source, the image was used the prior year as the front cover of Time Magazine's "Person Of The Year 2011," which recognized "The Protester." The work portrays a figure connected to the Occupy and global protest movements of that moment, blending Fairey's portrait-based graphic style with the era's activist subject matter.
Why It Matters
Occupy Protestor carries unusual documentary significance for a single signed edition: its image was used as the front cover of Time Magazine's Person Of The Year 2011 issue, which honored "The Protester." That mainstream-media placement ties the print directly to one of the defining political stories of its moment, from Occupy Wall Street to the broader wave of global demonstrations. The co-signature by Sarah Mason, the depicted protester, adds a layer of authenticity and personal provenance rare in Fairey's catalog, linking the artwork to a real individual from the movement rather than an anonymous subject. For collectors, the combination of a Time cover credential and a dual signature makes this more than a routine release; it is a tangible artifact of how Fairey's portrait language intersected with national news. The print exemplifies his recurring method of elevating ordinary protesters into iconic, poster-style figures, reinforcing his theme that collective action by everyday people drives change. Its place at the start of his dense 2012 release calendar, and its grounding in a documented magazine cover, give it stronger historical footing than most editions of comparable size and price.
Collector Perspective
Occupy Protestor appeals to collectors of Fairey's political and protest-era work, and especially to those who value pieces with documented media history and personal provenance. The Time Person Of The Year 2011 cover connection and the dual signature by the artist and Sarah Mason make it a standout conversation piece for an activism-focused collection. At an edition of 450 and an original $60, it remains attainable for collectors assembling a 2011-2012 political grouping. The 18 x 24 inch portrait format displays well as a single statement piece or beside other protest-themed prints. Buyers tend to prioritize the dual signature, the magazine-cover backstory, and condition.
Historical Context
Released in January 2012, Occupy Protestor opens Fairey's busy 2012 catalog and reflects his close engagement with the Occupy movement and the global protest wave of 2011. The source notes the image's prior use as the Time Magazine Person Of The Year 2011 cover, the issue that named "The Protester," placing the work squarely within mainstream coverage of that political moment. The co-signature by Sarah Mason ties the print to a specific participant in the movement. Within Fairey's arc, it continues his portrait-based approach to political subjects, turning a contemporary activist into an iconic graphic figure. It belongs to the activist current of his early-2010s output, alongside other prints responding to the era's uprisings and economic protests.
FAQ
Why is Occupy Protestor historically significant?
Per the source, the image was used the prior year as the front cover of Time Magazine's Person Of The Year 2011 issue, which recognized "The Protester." This ties the print directly to the Occupy movement and the global protest wave of that year.
Who signed Occupy Protestor?
The print is signed and numbered by Shepard Fairey and also by Sarah Mason, the protester depicted. This dual signature adds personal provenance, linking the artwork to a real participant from the movement rather than an anonymous figure.
What is the edition size and format?
Occupy Protestor is a first edition of 450, measuring 18 x 24 inches, signed and numbered. It was published by Obey Giant and released on January 12, 2012, opening Fairey's 2012 release schedule.
What was the original price?
According to the source, the print originally retailed for $60. This was a typical accessible price point for Obey Giant's limited signed and numbered editions during this period.
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.