Gauntlet Gallery
What is Shepard Fairey’s piece called “Paint It Black Letterpress”?
Artist Statement
42.5 x 34.9 cm. Signed and numbered edition of 450. 100% cotton archival paper with hand-deckled edges. OBEY publishing chop on bottom left corner.
Summary
Paint It Black is a 2016 letterpress print by Shepard Fairey, published by Galerie Itinerrance in a signed and numbered first edition of 450. It measures 42.5 x 34.9 cm and is printed on 100% cotton archival paper with hand-deckled edges, carrying the OBEY publishing chop in the bottom left corner. The title references the well-known Rolling Stones song, anchoring the work in Fairey's music-and-counterculture sensibility while using his graphic, propaganda-styled design language. The print is one of a coordinated 2016 OBEY letterpress group sharing the same format, paper, and edition size.
Why It Matters
Paint It Black taps directly into Fairey's lifelong connection to music, borrowing the title of the iconic Rolling Stones track to bridge rock counterculture and his graphic activism. Music has been a foundational influence on Fairey since his punk-rooted beginnings, and titles like this signal that cultural lineage while remaining open to broader interpretation. As part of the 2016 Galerie Itinerrance letterpress group, the print shares its precise format and materials with companion releases, making it valuable both individually and as part of a collectible set. Collectors appreciate the combination of accessible original pricing, a numbered edition of 450, and museum-grade materials: hand-deckled 100% cotton archival paper and an embossed letterpress impression that sets these works apart from Fairey's more common screen prints. The OBEY chop and signature establish provenance and authenticity. The music association adds crossover appeal, drawing collectors of both Fairey's art and music-themed graphics. Paint It Black exemplifies his mid-2010s practice of issuing thematically rich, craft-forward, affordably priced editions that broaden his reach while keeping his cultural and political voice intact, making it a versatile and approachable acquisition.
Collector Perspective
Paint It Black appeals to collectors at the intersection of Fairey's art and music-themed graphics, as well as those focused on his letterpress craft. The numbered edition of 450 and accessible release price make it approachable for newcomers, while completists value it within the 2016 Galerie Itinerrance letterpress group. Its 42.5 x 34.9 cm format frames cleanly and pairs naturally with siblings like Endless Power, Global Warning, and Lifeguard Not On Duty for series displays, and the music reference gives it added appeal for collectors building around Fairey's counterculture roots. The embossed letterpress impression on hand-deckled cotton paper offers strong tactile, gallery-quality presence, making it a fitting choice for both music and fine-art print collections.
Historical Context
Paint It Black sits within Fairey's prolific mid-2010s output of frequent, affordably priced letterpress and screen-print editions through OBEY and partner galleries. Published by Galerie Itinerrance in Paris in 2016, it is part of a coordinated release of similarly formatted letterpress prints sharing paper stock, dimensions, and edition size. The title's nod to the Rolling Stones reflects Fairey's deep, career-long engagement with music and counterculture, a thread tracing back to his punk and skate origins and running through his many band and album collaborations. The letterpress medium connects him to craft-printmaking traditions distinct from his signature screen prints. By 2016, Fairey operated a mature studio balancing gallery work, public murals, and a steady stream of collectible editions, using music-referencing titles to reinforce the cultural lineage that has shaped his practice from the start.
FAQ
Does the title reference the Rolling Stones?
The title shares its name with the well-known Rolling Stones song 'Paint It Black,' reflecting Fairey's longstanding connection to music and counterculture. The source classifies it under collaboration and pop-culture themes, consistent with his many music-referencing works.
What is the edition size and publisher?
Paint It Black is a signed and numbered first edition of 450, published by Galerie Itinerrance in 2016. It carries the OBEY publishing chop in the bottom left corner, marking it as an authorized OBEY release.
What are the dimensions and materials?
It measures 42.5 x 34.9 cm and is printed on 100% cotton archival paper with hand-deckled edges using the letterpress process, which gives the impression a tactile, embossed quality on the cotton stock.
Is it part of a series?
Yes. Paint It Black belongs to a coordinated group of 2016 Galerie Itinerrance letterpress releases sharing the same 42.5 x 34.9 cm format, archival cotton paper, and edition of 450, including Endless Power, Global Warning, and Lifeguard Not On Duty.
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.