Gauntlet Gallery
What is Shepard Fairey’s piece called “Lotus Ornament Target”?
Artist Statement
The Lotus Ornament Target is inspired by the symbolism and beauty of the Lotus flower combined with a mandala and target. The mandala and target are conflicting symbols of harmony and attack. The lotus is something beautiful that grows out of the mud. I see the Lotus as a metaphor for what is especially needed in this moment… an effort to lift ourselves out of the mud of political feuding and environmental irresponsibility in pursuit of harmony with each other and the planet. –Shepard PRINT DETAILS: Lotus Ornament Target. 24 x 24 inches. Screen print on thick cream Speckletone paper. Signed by Shepard Fairey. Numbered edition of 450. Comes with a Digital Certificate of Authenticity provided by Verisart. $90.
Summary
Lotus Ornament Target is a 2022 Shepard Fairey screen print published by Obey Giant, measuring 24 x 24 inches on thick cream Speckletone paper. The image combines a lotus flower with a mandala and a target, which Fairey describes as conflicting symbols of harmony and attack. He frames the lotus as something beautiful that grows out of the mud, a metaphor for lifting ourselves out of political feuding and environmental irresponsibility toward harmony with each other and the planet. The print is signed by Fairey and issued in a numbered edition of 450, with a Digital Certificate of Authenticity provided by Verisart.
Why It Matters
Lotus Ornament Target stands out for its deliberate symbolic tension. Fairey explicitly combines a lotus, a mandala, and a target, describing the mandala and target as 'conflicting symbols of harmony and attack.' That juxtaposition of serenity and aggression gives the print a conceptual edge beyond a straightforward floral image. As with his companion lotus works, he frames the flower as something beautiful that grows out of the mud, a metaphor for rising above political feuding and environmental irresponsibility toward harmony with each other and the planet. The square 24 x 24 format and mandala structure tie it to his early-2020s exploration of round, symmetrical compositions. For collectors, the work is among the more visually layered of his lotus prints, merging decorative beauty with a built-in commentary on conflict and balance. Its smaller edition of 450, modest relative to many of his releases, gives it a slightly tighter availability profile within the lotus group. Issued at $90 in a signed, numbered edition with Verisart authentication, it follows Fairey's mature Obey Giant model and serves as a flagship example of how he charges decorative motifs with symbolic meaning.
Collector Perspective
Lotus Ornament Target appeals to collectors who appreciate the conceptual layering of harmony and conflict alongside a striking, symmetrical composition. The mandala-and-target structure gives it stronger visual presence than a purely decorative floral print, making it a compelling centerpiece for a wall. The 24 x 24 inch square format anchors a space on its own and pairs well with other round-composition and lotus works in a themed grouping. Its edition of 450 is somewhat tighter than many of Fairey's releases, which collectors focused on scarcity may note. At an original $90 in a signed, numbered edition with a Verisart Digital Certificate of Authenticity, it sits in the mid-range of his catalog and suits buyers assembling a lotus or environmental sub-collection.
Historical Context
Lotus Ornament Target belongs to Fairey's early-2020s body of round, mandala-influenced compositions and recurring lotus imagery tied to environmental and harmony themes. It exemplifies his practice of charging decorative motifs with meaning, here pairing the lotus and mandala with a target to stage a contrast between harmony and attack. The print sits within a cluster of 2022 lotus and harmony works and reflects his mature studio standard of signed, numbered Speckletone-paper screen prints with Verisart certificates. By layering symbolic conflict into an ornamental image, the work shows Fairey extending his graphic poster language toward contemplative yet pointed environmental commentary, distinct from the street-derived agitation of his earlier career.
FAQ
What do the symbols in Lotus Ornament Target mean?
Fairey combines a lotus flower with a mandala and a target, describing the mandala and target as conflicting symbols of harmony and attack. The lotus, something beautiful that grows out of the mud, serves as a metaphor for lifting ourselves out of political feuding and environmental irresponsibility in pursuit of harmony.
What are the dimensions and medium?
Lotus Ornament Target is a 24 x 24 inch screen print on thick cream Speckletone paper. Its square format aligns with Fairey's early-2020s interest in round, mandala-based compositions, and it was published by Obey Giant in 2022.
How large is the edition?
The print is a numbered first edition of 450, somewhat tighter than many of Fairey's releases. Each is signed by Shepard Fairey and comes with a Digital Certificate of Authenticity provided by Verisart.
What was the original price?
Lotus Ornament Target was released in 2022 at an original price of $90, placing it in the mid-range of Fairey's signed, numbered screen prints from that period.
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.