Gauntlet Gallery
What is Shepard Fairey’s piece called “Sonic Firestorm (First Edition)”?
Artist Statement
42 x 42 Large Format Serigraph Print. Signed and Numbered Edition of 50. 1 Color printed on Varnished 100% Cotton Rag Archival Paper.
Summary
Sonic Firestorm (First Edition) is a 2014 large-format screen print by Shepard Fairey, published by Obey Giant. Measuring 42 x 42 inches, it is a one-color serigraph printed on varnished 100% cotton rag archival paper. The work is a signed and numbered edition of 50. Its imposing square format and single-color treatment place visual emphasis on bold, graphic composition rather than color complexity. Drawing on Fairey's music and counterculture themes, the print belongs to his series of large-format collaborative and pop-culture works released in this period.
Why It Matters
Sonic Firestorm sits within Fairey's large-format serigraph program of the mid-2010s, a body of work distinguished by its monumental 42 x 42 inch scale and disciplined single-color printing. At an edition of just 50, it represents one of the smaller, more deliberately limited releases in Fairey's catalog, which heightens its appeal to collectors who prioritize scarcity within an artist known for broadly accessible editions. The use of varnished 100% cotton rag archival paper signals an emphasis on permanence and presentation quality, suited to serious display. Thematically tied to Fairey's enduring engagement with music and counterculture, the print extends a visual vocabulary the artist has refined across decades of poster and serigraph work. For collectors, the value lies in the intersection of restrained edition size, large statement-piece scale, and Fairey's signature graphic clarity. It rewards those who appreciate how much impact a single color can carry when paired with strong composition, and it complements a broader collection of his 2014 large-format music-adjacent serigraphs.
Collector Perspective
This print appeals to collectors who favor statement-scale works and Fairey's music-and-counterculture output. At 42 x 42 inches, it is a centerpiece piece rather than a fill-in, demanding wall space and rewarding it with bold single-color graphic impact. The edition of 50 attracts buyers who value tighter editions within Fairey's catalog. It fits naturally alongside other 2014 large-format serigraphs such as Satangelic Sounds and Luxurious Sounds, allowing collectors to build a cohesive grouping of same-scale, same-program works. Its archival cotton rag substrate and varnished finish make it well-suited to long-term display in a living or gallery space where a single dramatic piece anchors the room.
Historical Context
Sonic Firestorm belongs to Fairey's prolific 2014 run of 42 x 42 inch large-format serigraphs published through Obey Giant, a period in which he produced numerous single-color, square works tied to music and pop-culture themes. This program reflects a mature phase of his practice, where the screen-printing discipline honed in his earlier OBEY and poster work was scaled up into limited, gallery-oriented editions. The small edition of 50 distinguishes these large-format pieces from his higher-volume political and icon prints. Within Fairey's broader arc, these works extend his long-running fascination with music and counterculture imagery into a more collectible, fine-art-oriented format.
FAQ
How large is Sonic Firestorm and what is it printed on?
It is a large-format work measuring 42 x 42 inches, printed as a one-color serigraph on varnished 100% cotton rag archival paper. The square format and single-color treatment give it strong graphic presence, and the archival cotton rag substrate supports long-term display and preservation.
What is the edition size?
Sonic Firestorm (First Edition) is a signed and numbered edition of 50, published by Obey Giant in 2014. This is one of the smaller edition sizes in Fairey's catalog, placing it among his more limited large-format serigraph releases.
When was it released?
The record lists a date of June 5, 2014, with publication by Obey Giant. It belongs to Fairey's 2014 run of 42 x 42 inch large-format serigraphs.
What themes does the print engage?
Source fields tie the work to collaborations, pop culture, and music and counterculture. It extends Fairey's long-running engagement with music imagery, rendered in his characteristic bold, single-color graphic style.
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.