Gauntlet Gallery
What is Shepard Fairey’s piece called “Desmond Tutu”?
Artist Statement
This portrait of anti-apartheid and pro-human rights activist Archbishop Desmond Tutu is my 2nd collaboration with photographer Michael Collopy, with the first being my portrait and mural of Nelson Mandela in Johannesburg in 2014. Archbishop Tutu embraced non-violence as he strove to end apartheid and discrimination against women in South Africa. I deeply admire Arch Tutu's philosophy, courage, and powerful communication skills. The below testimonial from Michael Collopy illuminates Tutu's character beautifully. –Shepard From the photographer, Michael Collopy: I first met The Arch in 1985 when he was calling for American action to end apartheid. Through our decades long treasured friendship that included countless dinners, laughs, and meaningful conversations until the very last time I was with him (already in frail health) in Oxford England when he held the door open for me to come in from the cold. I will never forget his words to me shortly after we first met: "God has a dream. God has a dream that all of us will recognize that we belong in one family, the human family. A family in which there are no outsiders. All belong. All are held in this embrace of this one whose love will never let us go; this one who says that each of us is of incredible worth; that each of us is precious to God, because each one of us has their name written in the palms of God's hands. And God says there are no outsiders. Black, white, young, old, rich, poor, gay, lesbian, straight-all belong. And God says I only have you to help me realize my dream. Help me." –Michael Collopy Desmond Tutu. 18 x 24 inches. Screen print on thick cream Speckletone paper. Original Illustration based on photograph by Michael Collopy. Signed by Shepard Fairey. Numbered edition of 550. Comes with a Digital Certificate of Authenticity provided by Verisart. $75.
Summary
Desmond Tutu is a 2022 Shepard Fairey screen print published by Obey Giant, measuring 18 x 24 inches on thick cream Speckletone paper. It is a portrait of the anti-apartheid and pro-human-rights activist Archbishop Desmond Tutu, based on a photograph by Michael Collopy, marking Fairey's second collaboration with the photographer after his 2014 Nelson Mandela portrait and mural in Johannesburg. Fairey praises Tutu's embrace of non-violence in opposing apartheid and discrimination against women in South Africa. The print is signed by Fairey in a numbered edition of 550, with a Digital Certificate of Authenticity provided by Verisart.
Why It Matters
Desmond Tutu extends Fairey's long tradition of portraits honoring human-rights and justice leaders. The print depicts Archbishop Desmond Tutu, whom Fairey describes as an anti-apartheid and pro-human-rights activist who embraced non-violence while striving to end apartheid and discrimination against women in South Africa. Fairey expresses deep admiration for Tutu's philosophy, courage, and communication skills. Significantly, the work is his second collaboration with photographer Michael Collopy, following his 2014 portrait and mural of Nelson Mandela in Johannesburg, situating it within an ongoing creative partnership and a broader project of memorializing South African moral leadership. The release includes a moving testimonial from Collopy recounting his decades-long friendship with Tutu and quoting Tutu's vision that all people belong to one human family with no outsiders. For collectors, the print carries strong portrait and legacy value, depicting a globally recognized Nobel-associated figure in Fairey's instantly readable graphic style. Issued as a signed, numbered edition of 550 with Verisart authentication, it belongs to his civil-rights and human-rights portrait lineage and offers both aesthetic and commemorative weight, appealing to those who collect his tributes to consequential historical figures.
Collector Perspective
Desmond Tutu appeals to collectors of Fairey's portrait and legacy work, particularly those drawn to depictions of globally significant human-rights figures. As a memorial to an anti-apartheid leader rendered in Fairey's recognizable graphic portraiture, it carries commemorative weight that resonates with buyers focused on civil-rights and social-justice themes. Its connection to photographer Michael Collopy and the earlier Mandela collaboration adds provenance interest. The 18 x 24 inch format frames cleanly and works well in a portrait grouping alongside other Fairey activist tributes. At a signed, numbered edition of 550 with a Verisart Digital Certificate of Authenticity, it offers a well-documented acquisition. Collectors assembling a human-rights or portrait sub-collection will value it as a dignified, historically grounded centerpiece.
Historical Context
Desmond Tutu fits within Fairey's sustained practice of portraying civil-rights, human-rights, and justice leaders, a thread running throughout his career. Released in 2022, it is his second collaboration with photographer Michael Collopy, following the 2014 Nelson Mandela portrait and mural in Johannesburg, connecting it to his earlier South Africa work and his broader project of honoring moral and political leaders. The print reflects his mature studio standard of signed, numbered Speckletone-paper screen prints with Verisart certificates and includes Collopy's personal testimonial about Tutu. By memorializing a globally revered anti-apartheid figure who championed non-violence and equality, the work continues Fairey's legacy-portrait tradition, distinct from his decorative and environmental output of the same period.
FAQ
Who is depicted in this print?
The print portrays Archbishop Desmond Tutu, whom Fairey describes as an anti-apartheid and pro-human-rights activist. Fairey notes Tutu embraced non-violence as he strove to end apartheid and discrimination against women in South Africa, expressing admiration for his philosophy, courage, and communication skills.
Is this a collaboration?
Yes. The portrait is based on a photograph by Michael Collopy and is Fairey's second collaboration with the photographer, following his 2014 portrait and mural of Nelson Mandela in Johannesburg. The release includes a personal testimonial from Collopy about his friendship with Tutu.
What are the dimensions, edition, and medium?
Desmond Tutu is an 18 x 24 inch screen print on thick cream Speckletone paper, issued in 2022 as a numbered first edition of 550. It is signed by Shepard Fairey and includes a Digital Certificate of Authenticity provided by Verisart.
What was the original release price?
The print was released in 2022 at an original price of $75, positioning it as a mid-range acquisition among Fairey's signed, numbered portrait 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.