Gauntlet Gallery
What is Shepard Fairey’s piece called “Obey The Laws Of Physics (Letterpress)”?
Artist Statement
Obey the Laws of Physics 10? by 13? Letterpress Edition of 200 Signed and Numbered This print was re-released to commemorate the re-union of the band Physics. It was released January 23rd, 2015. Printed by Bruce Licher of Independent Project Press.
Summary
Obey The Laws Of Physics is a 2015 letterpress print, roughly 13 x 10 inches, in a signed and numbered edition of 200, priced at $40 and published by Serigraphic Systems Inc. It was printed by Bruce Licher of Independent Project Press and re-released on January 23, 2015 to commemorate the reunion of the band Physics. The compact letterpress format and Bruce Licher production give it a craft-print character within Fairey's music-linked output.
Why It Matters
This letterpress is a craft-focused, music-tied entry distinguished by its printer as much as its imagery. The source credits Bruce Licher of Independent Project Press, a printmaker known for distinctive letterpress work, which gives the edition particular appeal to collectors who value hand-press craft and the specific printer's lineage. It was re-released to commemorate the reunion of the band Physics, anchoring it to a concrete music event and to Fairey's enduring OBEY wordplay, here folded into "Obey the Laws of Physics." As a small-format letterpress in an edition of 200 at $40, it sits in an accessible, collectible tier that letterpress enthusiasts and OBEY-iconography followers track closely. The description is relatively sparse on conceptual detail compared with Fairey's longer statements, so its significance rests on the documented facts: the printer, the band reunion occasion, and the letterpress medium. Within Fairey's catalog it represents the intersection of his OBEY branding, his music affinities, and the specialized letterpress prints produced with outside master printers.
Collector Perspective
This appeals to collectors of Fairey letterpress editions and OBEY-iconography prints, plus fans of the band Physics and admirers of Bruce Licher's Independent Project Press work. The small roughly 13 x 10 inch format suits collectors who group letterpress pieces or want an accessible signed work at $40 in an edition of 200. The named master printer adds craft value for those who prioritize production pedigree. Its compact size makes it easy to frame and display in a clustered letterpress grouping. It fits a collection organized around OBEY iconography, music tie-ins, and specialized letterpress production.
Historical Context
Re-released January 23, 2015 to mark the reunion of the band Physics, this letterpress reflects Fairey's practice of issuing small, craft-oriented prints through master printers. The source credits Bruce Licher of Independent Project Press, situating the work within a lineage of distinctive letterpress production that Fairey returned to for several music-linked editions. The piece also continues his long-running OBEY wordplay, adapting the command-style branding to the band's name. Published by Serigraphic Systems Inc rather than directly by Obey Giant, it shows the network of print partners Fairey worked with in this period. As a re-release tied to a specific band event, it belongs to the strand of Fairey's catalog where OBEY iconography, music affiliation, and specialized hand-press craft converge.
FAQ
Who printed Obey The Laws Of Physics?
Per the source, it was printed by Bruce Licher of Independent Project Press. It was published by Serigraphic Systems Inc as a letterpress print, signed and numbered in an edition of 200 at $40, and re-released on January 23, 2015.
Why was the print re-released?
The source states it was re-released to commemorate the reunion of the band Physics, on January 23, 2015. The title plays on Fairey's OBEY branding, adapting the command form to the band's name.
What is the print's size and medium?
It is a letterpress print measuring roughly 13 by 10 inches, per the source. Letterpress gives it a distinct craft character compared with Fairey's larger screen prints, and it was produced in a signed and numbered edition of 200.
How large is the edition?
According to the source, the edition is 200, signed and numbered. At $40, it sits in an accessible tier and is tied specifically to the Physics band reunion and Bruce Licher's letterpress production.
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.