Gauntlet Gallery
What is Shepard Fairey’s piece called “Obey Holiday Mandala”?
Artist Statement
Holiday gift print
Summary
Obey Holiday Mandala is a 2013 screen print by Shepard Fairey published by Obey Giant, issued as a holiday gift print in an edition of 750. It measures 24 by 18 inches. The source describes it briefly as a holiday gift print built around a mandala motif, tied to Fairey's OBEY iconography. Limited source detail is available beyond the medium, year, edition size, and dimensions, so its specific imagery and pricing are not documented here. It appears to align with Fairey's recurring practice of producing seasonal holiday prints for his audience.
Why It Matters
Obey Holiday Mandala fits within Shepard Fairey's tradition of releasing holiday gift prints, a recurring gesture toward his collector community through Obey Giant. The mandala motif referenced in the title points to one of Fairey's favored decorative-symmetrical formats, which he uses to fold OBEY iconography into ornamental, almost meditative compositions. With an edition of 750, it sits among his moderately scaled releases. Because the source description is sparse, much of the print's specific imagery and original pricing cannot be stated with certainty, and any importance claim should remain cautious. What can be supported is its role as a seasonal, community-oriented release rather than a major thematic statement. For collectors, its appeal lies in the holiday-print tradition and the mandala format, both of which recur across Fairey's catalog. For a database, the reliable facts are the 2013 date, the edition of 750, the 24 by 18 inch dimensions, the screen-print medium, and its identity as a holiday gift print. These modest but verified details position it as a pleasant, accessible entry tied to Fairey's seasonal output and his mandala-based design language.
Collector Perspective
This print suits collectors drawn to Fairey's holiday gift prints and his mandala-format works, which combine OBEY iconography with decorative symmetry. At 24 by 18 inches it is an approachable, frame-friendly size, and as a holiday release it carries a warmer, community-oriented appeal rather than an overt political message. The edition of 750 places it among Fairey's moderately limited runs. It fits collections organized around his seasonal prints or his mandala and OBEY-iconography pieces. Given limited source detail, buyers should confirm specific imagery and condition independently, but the work's holiday-tradition charm makes it an accessible addition for fans of Fairey's lighter, decorative output.
Historical Context
Obey Holiday Mandala belongs to Fairey's ongoing series of holiday gift prints, periodic seasonal releases issued through Obey Giant for his collector base. Dated 2013, it reflects his continued use of the mandala format, a decorative-symmetrical structure he returned to repeatedly to render OBEY iconography in ornamental form. Within his broader arc, holiday prints function as community gestures distinct from his major political and music projects, offering accessible, festive works. With limited source information available, the print is best understood as a representative example of this seasonal tradition rather than a landmark in his thematic development.
FAQ
What is Obey Holiday Mandala?
It is a 2013 screen print by Shepard Fairey, published by Obey Giant and described as a holiday gift print. It uses a mandala motif tied to Fairey's OBEY iconography and was issued in an edition of 750.
How large is it and how many exist?
The print measures 24 by 18 inches and was released in an edition of 750. Available source detail is limited, so specific imagery and original pricing are not documented here.
What is a holiday gift print?
Fairey periodically releases seasonal holiday prints through Obey Giant as a gesture to his collector community. These tend to be accessible, festive works distinct from his major political and music projects.
What is the mandala format?
The mandala is a decorative, symmetrical structure Fairey returns to repeatedly to render OBEY iconography in ornamental form. The title indicates this print uses that format, though further imagery detail is not documented in the source.
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.