GDC, Week 1: Activist Case Study, Frank “Shepard Fairey”

Frank “Shepard Fairey” or also know as Shepard Fairey is an American contemporary street artist, graphic designer, activist, illustrator. And his works are often illustration with the combination of street art and graffiti art. But what brings his art so much attention is his usage of colors. Most of the Shepard’s poster uses contrasting colors with monochromatic shades, which blends perfectly. He wanted people to know that everyone in America despite the different races is what make them American.

And there one particular series he released called “We the People” to protest against Trump. The series displays illustration posters of woman of different race, with the color of red and blue to symbolize America. Shepard also added slogan such as “Woman are Perfect” and “Defend Dignity”. And from the poser he illustrate where are women of different races, he wanted to point out that despite having a different race is what makes an American.

“We thought [they were the] groups that had been maybe criticized by Trump and maybe were going to be most, if not necessarily vulnerable in a literal sense, most feeling that their needs would be neglected in a Trump administration,” Fairey told CNN.

“It’s really about making sure that people remember that ‘we the people’ means everyone, it means all the people,” Fairey said. “I think the campaigns were very divisive, more from one side than the other. But [it’s] just reminding people to find their common humanity, and look beyond maybe one narrow definition of what it means to be American.”

Reference:

News.Artnet, 2017, Shepard Fairey Releases ‘We the People’ Series to Protest Trump

https://news.artnet.com/art-world/shepard-fairey-releases-we-the-people-series-824468