Gauntlet Gallery
What is Shepard Fairey’s piece called “Free Speech”?
Artist Statement
Limited edition of 50 Numbered, signed by Shepard Fairey. Lithograph on uncoated archival paper. Size: 42,0 x 59,4cm Print comes with an exclusive copy of Shepard Fairey "The Damaged Times" Newspaper.
Summary
Free Speech is a 2018 Shepard Fairey offset lithograph published by Positive Propaganda, measuring 42 x 59.4 cm on uncoated archival paper. The title centers on free expression, a recurring concern in Fairey's work, though the source offers limited descriptive detail. Each print is numbered and signed by Shepard Fairey, and the edition was limited to 50. It was issued at an original price of $100 and came with an exclusive copy of Fairey's 'The Damaged Times' newspaper. The large lithograph format makes it a sizable wall piece.
Why It Matters
Free Speech is distinguished primarily by its very small edition of 50 and its publisher, Positive Propaganda, rather than by an extensive artist statement. The title situates it within Fairey's long-standing defense of free expression, a theme central to his identity as an artist who built a career on disseminating uncensored imagery. The inclusion of an exclusive copy of his 'The Damaged Times' newspaper ties the print directly to his DAMAGED-era project, adding a documentary and ephemera component that collectors often prize. As a large-format offset lithograph (42 x 59.4 cm) on uncoated archival paper, it offers strong wall presence at an accessible original price. The notably limited edition of 50 makes it one of the scarcer releases in his catalog, which heightens its appeal for collectors who prioritize edition size. Because the source description is sparse, the work's importance rests largely on its theme, its tie to the DAMAGED project, and its scarcity rather than on detailed artist commentary, positioning it as a desirable but documentation-light piece within his free-expression and propaganda-inspired output.
Collector Perspective
This print appeals to collectors who prioritize small editions and to those who collect Fairey's free-expression and DAMAGED-era works. The very limited edition of 50 makes it comparatively scarce, a strong draw for buyers who weigh edition size heavily. The bundled 'The Damaged Times' newspaper adds an ephemera element that completists and DAMAGED-project collectors value. At 42 x 59.4 cm, the offset lithograph offers substantial wall presence as a statement piece. Its publication through Positive Propaganda, rather than Obey Giant, may also interest collectors seeking works from Fairey's various publishing partners. With limited source detail, its appeal rests on theme, scarcity, and the accompanying newspaper.
Historical Context
Free Speech was released in February 2018 through Positive Propaganda, during Fairey's DAMAGED period, as indicated by the included 'The Damaged Times' newspaper. The work extends his long-running advocacy for free expression, a value embedded in his practice since the OBEY project's origins in unsanctioned public image-making. Its publication by Positive Propaganda situates it among editions Fairey produced with partners beyond his own Obey Giant imprint. Although the source provides limited narrative, the print fits a recognizable place in his arc: a small-edition, large-format lithograph tied to the DAMAGED exhibition era, reinforcing his identity as an artist committed to defending speech and disseminating his message broadly.
FAQ
What is the edition size of Free Speech?
Free Speech was released as a limited edition of 50, numbered and signed by Shepard Fairey. This small edition makes it one of the scarcer releases in his catalog and a notable draw for collectors who prioritize edition size.
What is included with the print?
Each print comes with an exclusive copy of Shepard Fairey's 'The Damaged Times' newspaper, tying the work to his DAMAGED project. This ephemera component adds documentary value that completists and DAMAGED-era collectors often appreciate.
What are the dimensions and materials?
Free Speech is an offset lithograph on uncoated archival paper measuring 42 x 59.4 cm, a large-format size that gives it strong wall presence. It was published by Positive Propaganda and issued at an original price of $100.
What is the print's theme?
The title centers on free expression, a recurring concern throughout Fairey's career. The source provides limited descriptive detail, so interpretation rests on the title, the DAMAGED-era context, and his documented body of work defending speech and disseminating uncensored imagery.
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.