Gauntlet Gallery
What is Shepard Fairey’s piece called “Justice Woman (Blue)”?
Artist Statement
The Justice Woman print is a tribute to all warriors for justice whose determination and tenacity bend the arc of the universe toward the just future we need. Justice is constantly evolving idea when it comes to various issues, but generally speaking, those willing to listen to their conscience, look their fellow human beings in the eyes, and stand up for what is right, are setting an important example and can influence people to treat others as they'd like to be treated. I chose a woman for this image because, in my experience, women are more likely to fight for justice for all, while men often narcissistically serve their self-interest. Of course, this is a generalization, and there are generous people of every gender and orientation, but men have far too much of a monopoly on leadership roles. I'd like to see the female perspective equally represented in every facet of society if you've ever stood up for any form of justice- equality, environmental protection, human rights, etc. THANK YOU! –Shepard Justice Woman. 18 x 24 inches. Screen print on thick cream Speckletone paper. Signed by Shepard Fairey. Numbered edition of 550. $70.
Summary
Justice Woman (Blue) is a 2021 screen print, 18 x 24 inches on thick cream Speckletone paper, in a signed, numbered edition of 550. Released by Obey Giant in a Blue colorway (also issued in Red), it depicts a woman as a tribute to all warriors for justice. Fairey frames the image around the idea that justice advances when people listen to their conscience, look others in the eye, and stand up for what is right. He explains he chose a woman because he wants the female perspective represented equally across society, noting men hold too much of a monopoly on leadership roles. The original release price was $70.
Why It Matters
Justice Woman distills Fairey's recurring belief that progress depends on individuals who refuse to look away from injustice. Built around the familiar idea that determination bends the arc of the universe toward justice, the print elevates a female figure as the emblem of that struggle. Its significance lies in how explicitly Fairey ties the image to gender representation: he states he chose a woman because, in his experience, women are more likely to fight for justice for all, and he wants the female perspective equally represented in every facet of society because men hold too much of a monopoly on leadership. That framing places the piece within his broader output on women, leadership, and civil rights, while keeping the message deliberately broad enough to apply to equality, environmental protection, and human rights alike. For collectors, the print works as both a portrait and a political statement, pairing an accessible, dignified central figure with a clear call to conscience. It is a representative example of how Fairey uses a single symbolic figure to carry a wide-reaching message about justice and equitable participation.
Collector Perspective
This print suits collectors focused on Fairey's women-and-leadership and civil-rights themes, and those who like a strong single-figure portrait as a wall centerpiece. The 18 x 24 vertical format and Blue colorway make it easy to pair with companion works, including the Red colorway for collectors who like matched variants. Its message-driven framing around justice, equality, and the female perspective gives it crossover appeal for buyers assembling a values-led collection. At an edition of 550 and a $70 original release price, it is an approachable signed and numbered screen print. Collectors building a thematic group around women, justice, or 2021 Obey Giant releases will find it a coherent and meaningful addition.
Historical Context
Released in March 2021, Justice Woman belongs to Fairey's steady stream of justice-themed screen prints during a politically charged period. It extends a long line of his work that uses women as central symbolic figures to advance messages of equality and leadership, and it explicitly connects that imagery to his stated wish for equal female representation across society. The print's broad framing, spanning equality, environmental protection, and human rights, situates it at the crossroads of his civil-rights and environmental concerns rather than within a single narrow cause. Issued in two colorways by Obey Giant, it reflects his ongoing practice of releasing politically resonant editions that double as accessible collector pieces during this activist phase of his career.
FAQ
Why did Shepard Fairey choose a woman for this image?
Fairey explains he chose a woman because, in his experience, women are more likely to fight for justice for all, while men often serve their self-interest. He acknowledges this is a generalization but says he wants the female perspective equally represented across society, since men hold too much of a monopoly on leadership.
What are the dimensions and edition details?
Justice Woman (Blue) measures 18 x 24 inches and is a screen print on thick cream Speckletone paper. It is signed by Shepard Fairey and numbered in an edition of 550, published by Obey Giant in 2021, with an original release price of $70.
Was this print available in other colorways?
Yes. The source lists two colorways, Blue and Red. This record is the Blue edition. The image itself is presented as a tribute to all warriors for justice across many causes.
What causes does the image speak to?
Fairey frames Justice Woman broadly, thanking anyone who has stood up for any form of justice, including equality, environmental protection, and human rights. The central idea is that those who follow their conscience and stand up for what is right set an important example for others.
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.