Gauntlet Gallery
What is Shepard Fairey’s piece called “Palace Of Power (Large Format)”?
Artist Statement
Palace of Power, Large Format Screen Print. 30 inches by 40 inches. Limited Numbered Edition of 75. 100% cotton archival paper with deckled edges. OBEY publishing chop on bottom left corner. Signed by Shepard Fairey. $750.
Summary
Palace of Power is a large-format screen print released by Obey Giant in 2016, measuring 30 by 40 inches and numbered in a limited edition of 75. Printed on 100% cotton archival paper with deckled edges, it carries the OBEY publishing chop in the bottom left corner and is signed by Shepard Fairey. The image addresses themes of consumerism and concentrated power, rendered in Fairey's signature graphic-propaganda visual language. Its sizable format and small edition distinguish it from his more common 18-by-24-inch screen prints, positioning it as a statement-scale work within the artist's ongoing critique of institutional and corporate authority.
Why It Matters
Palace of Power sits squarely in Shepard Fairey's long-running critique of concentrated power, a theme that runs from his early OBEY propaganda through his later political work. What sets this release apart is its scale and scarcity: at 30 by 40 inches it is a large-format work, and with only 75 numbered impressions it is among the smaller editions in Fairey's screen-print output, making it considerably less abundant than his standard 300-to-500-run drops. The archival cotton paper, deckled edges, OBEY publishing chop, and hand signature all reinforce its standing as a deliberately collectible object rather than a casual poster. For collectors, the appeal lies in owning a wall-dominating piece that condenses Fairey's enduring message about consumerism and authority into a single commanding image. Its 2016 release date places it in a period when Fairey was sharpening his political voice, and the work's title and iconography align with that focus. The combination of large format, low edition size, and on-theme subject matter makes Palace of Power a stronger differentiator than the artist's more widely distributed prints, rewarding buyers who prioritize presence and relative rarity over volume availability.
Collector Perspective
This print appeals to collectors who want a centerpiece work rather than a small-format example. The 30-by-40-inch scale makes it a natural focal point for a wall, and the low edition of 75 attracts buyers who value relative scarcity within Fairey's catalog. Those drawn to his consumerism-and-power themes, or who already hold related power-titled works such as Ideal Power or Power & Glory, will find Palace of Power a logical anchor for a thematic grouping. The archival cotton paper, deckled edges, OBEY chop, and signature give it the production hallmarks serious collectors look for. It suits both dedicated Fairey collectors building depth and design-minded buyers seeking one bold, conversation-starting piece for display.
Historical Context
Palace of Power belongs to Fairey's mid-2010s body of work, a period in which his critique of consumerism and concentrated power became increasingly direct. Released in 2016 through Obey Giant, it extends a vocabulary of authority-themed imagery that recurs across his career, from the foundational OBEY iconography to later titles explicitly invoking power. The large-format treatment reflects Fairey's mural-scale sensibility translated to the print medium, while the limited run of 75 marks it as a more exclusive offering than his typical screen-print editions. It sits alongside contemporaneous and subsequent power-themed releases such as Power & Glory and Ideal Power, forming part of a recognizable thread in his output where institutional dominance and consumer culture are the central targets of his graphic commentary.
FAQ
How large is Palace of Power and how big is the edition?
This is a large-format screen print measuring 30 inches by 40 inches, issued in a limited numbered edition of 75. The sizable dimensions and small run set it apart from Fairey's more common 18-by-24-inch screen prints, making it both a statement-scale piece and a relatively scarce one within his catalog.
Is the print signed and authenticated?
Yes. According to the source, Palace of Power is signed by Shepard Fairey and carries the OBEY publishing chop in the bottom left corner. It was published by Obey Giant in 2016 and printed on 100% cotton archival paper with deckled edges.
What is the print made of?
It is a screen print on 100% cotton archival paper with deckled edges. The archival stock and deckled finish, along with the hand signature and OBEY chop, reflect the production standards of a deliberately collectible edition rather than a mass poster.
What does Palace of Power depict thematically?
The work addresses consumerism and concentrated power, themes that recur throughout Fairey's career. It is rendered in his signature graphic, propaganda-influenced style, continuing his ongoing visual critique of institutional and corporate authority.
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.