Gauntlet Gallery
What is Shepard Fairey’s piece called “Prophets Of Rage - New Day Rising”?
Artist Statement
I made this Prophets of Rage – New Day Rising print to accompany the release of their self-titled album dropping TOMORROW, for which I created the cover. Prophets of Rage make powerful music accompanied with compelling messages that have the potential to change people's minds and push them to become more engaged in all things social and political. Prophets of Rage, whose members have a rich history in music and activism, are an essential part of the cultural conversation so I'm proud to provide visuals for their sonic and political firestorm. – Shepard Prophets of Rage – New Day Rising. 18 x 24 inches. Screen print on cream Speckletone paper. Signed by Shepard Fairey. Numbered edition of 600. $55.
Summary
Prophets Of Rage - New Day Rising is a 2017 Shepard Fairey screen print published by Obey Giant to accompany the release of the band Prophets of Rage's self-titled album, for which Fairey created the cover. It is a screen print on cream Speckletone paper measuring 18 x 24 inches, signed by Shepard Fairey in a numbered edition of 600 at $55. Per Fairey's statement, the print celebrates the band's fusion of powerful music with political messaging meant to push listeners toward greater social and political engagement.
Why It Matters
This print captures Fairey at the meeting point of his music and activism instincts, exactly the territory he has occupied since his earliest gig and band work. Made to accompany Prophets of Rage's self-titled album, for which Fairey designed the cover, the print is tied directly to a music release rather than standing alone, deepening its appeal for fans of the band. In his own words, Fairey praises the group's blend of compelling music and political messaging with the 'potential to change people's minds' and push listeners toward engagement, framing the work as both tribute and call to action. Prophets of Rage, a supergroup with deep roots in music and activism, embodies the politically charged sonic energy Fairey gravitates toward, and he explicitly positions himself as proud to supply visuals for their 'sonic and political firestorm.' At an edition of 600 and a $55 release price, it was an accessible, fan-facing drop rather than a deluxe collectible, which broadens its reach. For collectors, its strength lies in the documented link between artist and band, the album-cover connection, and its place in Fairey's long line of music-activism crossovers that treat protest music as worthy of poster-grade graphic celebration.
Collector Perspective
This print is a natural fit for fans of Prophets of Rage and of politically charged rock, as well as collectors of Fairey's music-tied works. The documented connection, Fairey created the band's album cover and made this print to accompany the album, gives it built-in narrative appeal for music-collection display. At 18 x 24 inches on cream Speckletone paper it frames cleanly as part of a music-poster wall. With a numbered edition of 600 and a modest original price of $55, it sits at the accessible end of Fairey's catalog, welcoming for newer collectors while still signed and numbered. It belongs in a music-and-counterculture grouping rather than a fine-art-only collection.
Historical Context
Released September 2017 by Obey Giant, this print extends Fairey's decades-long practice of pairing his graphics with politically engaged music. Prophets of Rage, formed from members with histories in music and activism, fit squarely within the counterculture lineage Fairey has long championed. Having created the band's album cover, Fairey issued this companion print as part of the album rollout, illustrating how his commercial-art and fine-print practices intertwine. The work belongs to a dense run of 2017 Obey Giant editions spanning music and politics, and reflects his consistent view, stated plainly in his accompanying text, that art and music together can move audiences toward social and political engagement.
FAQ
How is this print connected to Prophets of Rage?
Fairey made the print to accompany the release of Prophets of Rage's self-titled album, for which he created the cover art. In his statement he praises the band's blend of powerful music and political messaging, positioning the print as a tribute tied directly to the album's launch.
What is the edition size and price?
The print was released as a signed, numbered edition of 600 at $55. At that scale and price it was an accessible, fan-facing drop rather than a deluxe limited collectible, broadening its reach among music and Fairey enthusiasts.
What are the dimensions and materials?
It is a screen print on cream Speckletone paper measuring 18 x 24 inches, signed by Shepard Fairey. The Speckletone stock and screen-print process are consistent with many of Fairey's Obey Giant music editions from this period.
What message does the print convey?
Per Fairey's statement, the print celebrates Prophets of Rage's fusion of compelling music with political messaging meant to push listeners toward greater social and political engagement. He describes providing visuals for the band's 'sonic and political firestorm.'
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.