Gauntlet Gallery
What is Shepard Fairey’s piece called “Ideal Power - Large Format”?
Artist Statement
Ideal Power Large Format. 33.5 x 47.5 inches. 5 color screen print on cream 100% cotton archival paper with hand-deckled edges. Signed by Shepard Fairey. Numbered edition of 75. $900. Obey publishing chop in lower left corner. Comes with Certificate of Authenticity (COA).
Summary
Ideal Power - Large Format is a 2018 five-color screen print by Shepard Fairey, measuring 33.5 x 47.5 inches on cream 100% cotton archival paper with hand-deckled edges. Published by Obey Giant, it is signed, issued in a numbered first edition of 75, carries the Obey publishing chop in the lower left corner, and comes with a Certificate of Authenticity. The composition centers on Fairey's themes of power and consumerism rendered in his bold, decorative propaganda-inspired style. As a large-format edition drawn from his Damaged-era body of work, it pairs ornamental pattern with iconographic symbolism at an imposing scale.
Why It Matters
Ideal Power - Large Format represents the premium tier of Fairey's print production: a five-color screen print at nearly four feet wide, on archival cotton paper with hand-deckled edges, limited to just 75 signed and numbered impressions and accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity. This combination of large scale, low edition size, labor-intensive printing, and the Obey publishing chop marks it as a collector-grade object rather than an entry-level poster. Thematically it engages Fairey's enduring critique of power and consumerism, motifs that recur across his career and anchor much of his serious gallery work. The large-format treatment amplifies the visual authority of the imagery, making it a centerpiece-quality piece for serious display. Because it is one of a related family of large-format editions tied to the Damaged exhibition body of work, it carries added significance as part of a recognizable, cohesive series that collectors actively pursue as a set. The small edition of 75 meaningfully constrains supply relative to Fairey's open and mid-size releases, supporting its standing among the more sought-after items in his catalog. For collectors building a focused holding of his power-and-consumerism statements, this print is a flagship-level acquisition.
Collector Perspective
This is a piece for serious Fairey collectors and those seeking a statement work for prominent display. The 33.5 x 47.5-inch scale, five-color printing, archival cotton stock, hand-deckled edges, low edition of 75, Obey chop, and included Certificate of Authenticity all signal premium status. It fits collectors assembling the Damaged-era large-format series, where it sits alongside companion editions like Wrong Path and Golden Future. Its imposing size makes it a focal point rather than a supporting piece, ideal for a gallery wall or large interior. Given the small edition and production complexity, it commands a higher commitment than Fairey's accessible prints, rewarding collectors who prioritize scale, craftsmanship, and thematic depth around power and consumerism.
Historical Context
Released in March 2018, Ideal Power - Large Format belongs to the suite of large-format screen prints Fairey produced in connection with the body of work shown in his Damaged exhibition. It followed a 2017 first edition of Ideal Power and was issued alongside companion large-format pieces such as Wrong Path and Golden Future, forming a recognizable series. The work continues Fairey's long-running engagement with the visual language of power and consumerism, themes that thread through his career from his early propaganda experiments onward. The large-format treatment, five-color printing, archival materials, and small edition of 75 reflect the more ambitious, gallery-oriented production Fairey pursued during this Damaged-era period, distinguishing these works from his higher-volume, lower-priced releases.
FAQ
What makes the Large Format edition distinct?
It is a five-color screen print measuring 33.5 x 47.5 inches on cream 100% cotton archival paper with hand-deckled edges, issued in a numbered edition of just 75. It carries the Obey publishing chop in the lower left and comes with a Certificate of Authenticity, marking it as a premium release.
How large is the edition?
The large-format first edition is numbered to 75 impressions, a small run for Fairey. This low edition size, combined with the scale and five-color printing, places it among the more limited and collector-oriented works in his catalog rather than his higher-volume releases.
Is a Certificate of Authenticity included?
Yes. The source states the print comes with a Certificate of Authenticity (COA), is signed by Shepard Fairey, numbered, and carries the Obey publishing chop in the lower left corner.
How does it relate to other 2018 prints?
It is part of a series of large-format prints drawn from the Damaged-era body of work, issued alongside companions such as Wrong Path and Golden Future. There is also an earlier 2017 first edition of Ideal Power and a related Ideal Power Vienna version from 2018.
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.