Gauntlet Gallery
What is Shepard Fairey’s piece called “Power & Glory 'Merica (Large Format)”?
Artist Statement
Edition of 75 Screenprints 30"x40" on Hand Deckled Coventry Rag Fine Art Paper Signed and Numbered by: Shepard Fairey and Ernesto Yerena Montejano Printed by Modern Multiples
Summary
Power & Glory 'Merica (Large Format) is a 2017 large-format screen print measuring 30 x 40 inches on hand-deckled Coventry Rag fine art paper. Published by Hecho Con Ganas and printed by Modern Multiples, it is a first edition of 75, signed and numbered by Shepard Fairey and Ernesto Yerena Montejano. The work pairs Fairey's power-and-consumerism critique with a pointed take on American iconography, rendered at imposing scale. Released July 21, 2017 at an original price of $500, the print's large format and dual signatures distinguish it within Fairey's collaborative output.
Why It Matters
Power & Glory 'Merica is a large-format collaboration between Shepard Fairey and Ernesto Yerena Montejano, two artists whose joint work frequently addresses American identity, power, and the experience of marginalized communities. The title's stylized 'Merica signals a critical look at nationalism and consumerist notions of American greatness, themes that run throughout Fairey's Power & Glory body of work. Produced at 30 x 40 inches on hand-deckled Coventry Rag paper and printed by the respected Modern Multiples workshop, this is a premium object: the large scale, fine-art paper, and dual signatures elevate it above standard editions. With only 75 examples and an original price of $500, it is a more exclusive release than Fairey's smaller screen prints, appealing to collectors who want statement-scale work. The collaboration with Yerena, whose Hecho Con Ganas imprint published the piece, places it within an important strand of Fairey's politically engaged partnerships. For collectors building around themes of power, consumerism, and American critique, or those seeking Fairey-Yerena collaborations at impressive scale, this print stands out as one of the more ambitious 2017 releases, both visually and in production quality.
Collector Perspective
This print targets collectors who want large-scale statement pieces and those who follow Fairey's collaborations with Ernesto Yerena Montejano. At 30 x 40 inches on hand-deckled Coventry Rag paper, it commands wall presence and suits a focal display position rather than a dense grouping. The small edition of 75, dual signatures, and Modern Multiples printing give it premium appeal for collectors who prioritize production quality and exclusivity. Its original $500 price reflects that positioning. It fits a collection organized around power and consumerism themes, American critique, or Fairey-Yerena collaborations, and pairs naturally with its companion Day of the Dead Skull large-format release.
Historical Context
Power & Glory 'Merica belongs to Fairey's Power & Glory body of work, which interrogates consumerist conceptions of power and American greatness. Released July 21, 2017 through Ernesto Yerena Montejano's Hecho Con Ganas imprint and printed by Modern Multiples, it reflects the sustained Fairey-Yerena partnership that produced numerous politically charged collaborations during the 2010s. The large-format treatment on fine-art paper situates it among Fairey's more ambitious editioned works, where street-derived imagery is elevated to gallery scale. Thematically and chronologically it sits within the Posters and Propaganda phase of his career, when his agitprop messaging on power and identity reached some of its most pointed expressions.
FAQ
What is the edition size and price?
Power & Glory 'Merica (Large Format) is a first edition of 75 screen prints, originally priced at $500. It is signed and numbered by both Shepard Fairey and Ernesto Yerena Montejano and was published by Hecho Con Ganas on July 21, 2017.
What are the dimensions and materials?
The print measures 30 x 40 inches on hand-deckled Coventry Rag fine art paper. It was printed by Modern Multiples, a workshop known for high-quality screen printing, which together with the large format positions it as a premium edition.
Who collaborated on this print?
It is a collaboration between Shepard Fairey and Ernesto Yerena Montejano, with both artists signing and numbering each print. It was published through Yerena's Hecho Con Ganas imprint, placing it within their ongoing partnership on politically engaged work.
Is there a companion print?
Yes. The Power & Glory Day of the Dead Skull large-format print was released the same day with the same edition size of 75, paper, printer, and dual signatures, making the two natural pairings within the series.
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.