Gauntlet Gallery
What is Shepard Fairey’s piece called “Lotus Ornament (Large Format)”?
Artist Statement
article thumbnail SHARE twitter facebook pinterest link JULY 18, 2019 OBEY LOTUS ORNAMENT AND MUJER FATALE AVAILABLE JULY 23RD! The lotus blossom has a millennial history dating back to ancient Egypt and early Buddhism. It is currently considered a sacred flower due to its daily cycle of emerging from mud or dirty river water clean and unscathed by the environment in which it grows. The lotus is a symbol of hope and purity; the flower radiates light. In this work by Shepard Fairey, it is surrounded by a crescent moon adorned with stars, a reference to the Virgin of Guadalupe who also stands on the moon, a symbol of purity in Catholicism. Fairey describes the images as "beauty and resolution out of chaos." The artist reminds us that in spite of adversity, hope and humanity can merge from every situation. "Obey Lotus Ornament" stands out among the selection of works in this exhibition because it does not address socio-political issues, nor does it make a provocative statement. The artist simply intended to make a beautiful image that is undeniably appealing to all. Fairey refers to ornamental works as a "Trojan Horse" intended to draw the viewer in regardless of political orientation. The structured and organic image of the lotus flower is often incorporated into murals as a decorative element alongside intentionally provocative imagery. OBEY Lotus Ornament. Serigraph on Coventry Rag, 100% Cotton Custom Archival Paper with hand-deckled edges. 30 x 41 inches. Signed by Shepard Fairey. Numbered edition of 89. $900. Comes with a certificate of authenticity.
Summary
Lotus Ornament (Large Format) is a 2019 screen print published by Obey Giant as a numbered edition of 89, measuring 30 x 41 inches on Coventry Rag 100% cotton custom archival paper with hand-deckled edges, signed and with a certificate of authenticity, offered at $900. The black-edition image centers a lotus blossom surrounded by a crescent moon adorned with stars, referencing the Virgin of Guadalupe and themes of purity. Fairey describes the work as "beauty and resolution out of chaos," noting that it does not address socio-political issues but is intended simply as a beautiful, broadly appealing image, what he calls a "Trojan Horse" to draw viewers in.
Why It Matters
Lotus Ornament is a clear example of Fairey's "Trojan Horse" strategy: a deliberately decorative, non-political image designed to draw viewers in regardless of their politics, so that its ornamental beauty can sit alongside more provocative work in his murals. The lotus carries deep symbolic weight, with a history reaching back to ancient Egypt and early Buddhism, and is treated as a sacred flower because it emerges clean and unscathed from muddy water, making it an emblem of hope and purity. Fairey frames the blossom as "beauty and resolution out of chaos," surrounding it with a crescent moon and stars that reference the Virgin of Guadalupe and Catholic symbols of purity, layering cross-cultural meaning into an image he insists is simply meant to be beautiful. As a small numbered edition of 89 on premium Coventry Rag archival paper, it represents the refined, ornamental side of his catalog that anchors his decorative vocabulary. For collectors, its appeal is precisely its universality and elegance, while still rewarding those who know its symbolic depth, making it both an accessible centerpiece and a meaningful piece within his larger body of mandala and floral work.
Collector Perspective
Lotus Ornament appeals to collectors who want a beautiful, broadly appealing Fairey work without an overt political charge, exactly the audience Fairey describes the piece as designed to reach. Its symmetrical lotus-and-moon composition makes it a versatile centerpiece that pairs well with varied decor and with his other floral and mandala designs. At 30 x 41 inches in a numbered edition of 89, signed with a certificate of authenticity, it suits buyers seeking scarce, large-format decorative serigraphs. The cross-cultural symbolism of purity and hope adds depth for collectors who value meaning beneath the surface. It fits naturally in a floral or ornamental grouping and complements his environmental and nature-symbolism prints, offering elegance and display flexibility.
Historical Context
Lotus Ornament sits within the 2019 large-format archival serigraphs and represents the ornamental, decorative strand of Fairey's catalog that he describes as a "Trojan Horse" to draw viewers toward his more provocative imagery. Drawing on the lotus's long symbolic history from ancient Egypt and early Buddhism, and pairing it with Virgin of Guadalupe and Catholic purity references, the work shows his habit of layering cross-cultural symbolism into a deliberately beautiful image. Released alongside Mujer Fatale in July 2019, it is part of the suite of premium editions tied to his exhibition output. Within his arc, it exemplifies the mature integration of ornamental design into a practice better known for political messaging.
FAQ
What does the lotus symbolize?
The lotus has a long history dating back to ancient Egypt and early Buddhism and is considered sacred because it emerges clean and unscathed from muddy water. Fairey treats it as a symbol of hope and purity, describing the image as beauty and resolution out of chaos.
Is this a political work?
No. Fairey notes that Obey Lotus Ornament stands out because it does not address socio-political issues or make a provocative statement. He intended simply to make a beautiful image appealing to all, calling such ornamental works a Trojan Horse meant to draw viewers in regardless of political orientation.
What surrounds the lotus in the design?
The lotus is surrounded by a crescent moon adorned with stars, a reference to the Virgin of Guadalupe, who also stands on the moon as a symbol of purity in Catholicism. The composition layers cross-cultural symbols of purity and hope around the central flower.
What is the edition size and format?
This black large-format edition is a numbered edition of 89, a serigraph on Coventry Rag 100% cotton custom archival paper with hand-deckled edges, measuring 30 x 41 inches. It is signed by Shepard Fairey, comes with a certificate of authenticity, and was offered at $900.
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.