Gauntlet Gallery
What is Shepard Fairey’s piece called “American Dreamers V”?
Artist Statement
Edition of /450 Seven-colour lithograph on paper Printed on a Marinoni press at Idem Studio, Paris Signed and numbered by the artists BFK Rives 270 g/m2 hand-cut paper 70 × 100 cm
Summary
American Dreamers V is a 2019 seven-color lithograph on BFK Rives 270 g/m2 hand-cut paper, 70 x 100 cm, printed on a Marinoni press at Idem Studio in Paris and published by Underdogs. The source lists it as an artist proof within an edition of 450 and notes it is signed and numbered by the artists. The record indicates a collaborative work; specific imagery is not described in the source. It is framed under collaboration and pop-culture themes with a secondary politics-and-democracy signal.
Why It Matters
American Dreamers V stands out for its production pedigree more than documented imagery, since the source provides specifications rather than a visual description. It is a seven-color lithograph printed on a Marinoni press at Idem Studio in Paris, the historic atelier known for fine-art lithography, on heavyweight BFK Rives hand-cut paper. Published by Underdogs, a Lisbon-based platform associated with international street and urban art, and signed and numbered by multiple artists, it reads as a collaborative project rather than a solo Fairey release. For collectors, the European studio provenance and collaborative authorship distinguish it within Fairey's catalog, which is dominated by Obey Giant screenprints. The American Dreamers title and politics-and-democracy signal suggest engagement with themes of aspiration and the American narrative, consistent with Fairey's broader practice, though the record does not detail the composition. Because much rests on the named collaboration and atelier rather than a described image, its significance is best framed cautiously around its medium, provenance, and series position.
Collector Perspective
This appeals to collectors drawn to Fairey's collaborative and internationally produced works, and to those who value fine-art lithography from a respected Paris atelier. The large 70 x 100 cm format and heavyweight BFK Rives paper give it substantial wall presence, and the seven-color lithographic process signals craftsmanship. As an artist proof within a 450 edition, signed and numbered by the artists, it offers the appeal of a proof designation for collectors who seek those. It fits a collection focused on Fairey collaborations or his European output rather than his core Obey iconography. Buyers should note the source does not describe the imagery, so display fit is best confirmed against the actual print.
Historical Context
American Dreamers V belongs to Fairey's stream of collaborative and internationally produced editions, here published by Underdogs and printed in Paris at Idem Studio in 2019. The use of a Marinoni press and BFK Rives paper places it within the fine-art lithography tradition rather than his self-published Obey Giant screenprint line, and the signing by multiple artists marks it as a joint project. As a numbered entry in an American Dreamers series, it reflects Fairey's recurring engagement with American identity and aspiration, though the source does not elaborate the specific subject. Its position is best understood through its collaborative authorship, European atelier provenance, and place within a multi-part series during his mature period.
FAQ
What is American Dreamers V?
It is a 2019 seven-color lithograph on BFK Rives 270 g/m2 hand-cut paper, measuring 70 x 100 cm. Published by Underdogs and printed on a Marinoni press at Idem Studio in Paris, it is signed and numbered by the artists within an edition of 450.
Where and how was it printed?
According to the source, it was printed on a Marinoni press at Idem Studio in Paris using a seven-color lithographic process on heavyweight BFK Rives hand-cut paper.
Is this a collaborative work?
The source states the print is signed and numbered by the artists, plural, and is published by Underdogs, indicating it is a collaborative project rather than a solo Fairey edition.
What is the edition size?
The source lists an edition of 450, and this particular record is designated an artist proof within that edition.
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.