Gauntlet Gallery
What is Shepard Fairey’s piece called “Peace Guard 2”?
Artist Statement
This image is loosely a sequel to the Peace Guard from 2008 and serves as a reminder that pushing for peace, ironically, requires a militant vigilance itself. I love the juxtaposition of seemingly contradictory symbols. Peace is victory without war. It's a good day when you don't have to use your A.K.! – Shepard Peace Guard 2. 18 x 24 inches. Screen Print. Signed by Shepard Fairey. Ed. 450. $45.
Summary
Peace Guard 2 is a 2016 screen print by Shepard Fairey, published by Obey Giant in an edition of 450. It measures 18 by 24 inches. Per Fairey's note, the image is loosely a sequel to his 2008 Peace Guard and serves as a reminder that pushing for peace can paradoxically require militant vigilance. The composition leans on Fairey's love of juxtaposing seemingly contradictory symbols, pairing imagery of peace with martial elements. Fairey frames the message around the idea that peace is victory without war. Signed by Shepard Fairey at $45.
Why It Matters
Peace Guard 2 is a clear statement within Fairey's long-running anti-war and peace-and-justice work, extending an image he first explored in his 2008 Peace Guard. Its power lies in deliberate contradiction: Fairey pairs symbols of peace with martial imagery to argue that defending peace can ironically demand a kind of militant vigilance. That juxtaposition of opposing symbols is a signature device of his propaganda-inspired graphic language, designed to provoke reflection rather than offer a simple slogan. As a self-described sequel, the print rewards collectors who track the evolution of recurring motifs across Fairey's catalog, linking 2016 directly back to 2008. Its theme places it among his many peace-focused works, a thread that runs throughout his career and resonates with collectors who value his activist message. The edition of 450 is moderate, and at an accessible original price it offers an affordable entry into Fairey's politically charged output. A later Peace Guard 2 stencil version also exists, giving collectors a related variant to pursue. For Gauntlet Gallery's audience, it is a representative, message-driven Fairey print that pairs strong graphic impact with a pointed, thought-provoking idea about peace and vigilance.
Collector Perspective
This print appeals to collectors drawn to Fairey's peace and anti-war messaging and to his use of contradictory symbolism. Its sequel relationship to the 2008 Peace Guard makes it attractive to those who follow recurring motifs and want to pair related works across years. The 18-by-24-inch format frames easily and sits well within a politically themed grouping. With a signed edition of 450 and a modest original price, it is an accessible entry into Fairey's activist prints. The existence of a related Peace Guard 2 stencil and several other dove and peace prints gives collectors clear avenues to build out a focused peace-themed set. It suits a collection centered on Fairey's social and political message work.
Historical Context
Peace and anti-war imagery is a throughline of Fairey's career, expressed across doves, peace symbols, and figures of armed vigilance. Peace Guard 2 explicitly builds on his 2008 Peace Guard, demonstrating how Fairey revisits and updates motifs over time. Released in 2016, it belongs to a period in which he continued to produce pointed political prints alongside his collaborative and music work. The image's juxtaposition of peace and martial symbols reflects his propaganda-influenced approach, using the visual language of authority and power to deliver a message about defending peace. As one entry in a deep catalog of peace-themed prints, it connects to earlier and later works exploring the same ideas, and a subsequent stencil version extends the motif further.
FAQ
Is this connected to an earlier print?
Yes. Fairey describes Peace Guard 2 as loosely a sequel to his Peace Guard from 2008. It revisits the earlier motif and updates its message about peace requiring vigilance, making the two prints natural companions for collectors.
What is the message behind the image?
Per Fairey's note, the print reminds viewers that pushing for peace can ironically require militant vigilance itself. He pairs seemingly contradictory symbols of peace and war, framing the idea that peace is victory without war.
What are the size and edition?
Peace Guard 2 measures 18 by 24 inches and is a signed screen print in an edition of 450, published by Obey Giant in 2016 at an original price of $45.
Are there related versions?
A Peace Guard 2 Stencil was released in 2017, offering a related variant of the image. Together with the 2008 Peace Guard original, these give collectors several ways to assemble a focused set around the motif.
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.