A lot of people thought I got famous as a studio artist, then decided to cash in on it. But it actually was just a matter of survival for many years, and I felt it was really important for me to be able to say whatever I wanted with my street art and fine art.

Shepard Fairey

Categorized in : Art Years People

Creating is about sharing ideas, sharing aesthetics, sharing what you believe in with other people.

Shepard Fairey

believe ideas art

Art is not always meant to be decorative or soothing, in fact, it can create uncomfortable conversations and stimulate uncomfortable emotions.

Shepard Fairey

soothing emotion art

The way I make art - the way a lot of people make art - is as an extension of language and communication, where references are incredibly important. It's about making a work that is inspired by something preexisting but changes it to have a new value and meaning that doesn't in any way take away from the original - and, in fact, might provide the original with a second life or a new audience.

Shepard Fairey

communication people art

I think the freedom to express one's views is more important than intellectual property.

Shepard Fairey

intellectual views thinking

The sticker has no meaning, but exists only to cause people to react, to contemplate and search for meaning.

Shepard Fairey

sticker causes people

Art making comes from the human desire to share something that is universal in one sense, but unique to your sensibility in another. I think that, wherever you are in the world, that impulse exists within human beings.

Shepard Fairey

unique art thinking

I'm mischievous. The idea of taking risks and having real-world consequences energizes me.

Shepard Fairey

risk real ideas

The way I make art, the way a lot of people make art, is as an extension of language and communication, where references are incredibly important.

Shepard Fairey

communication people art

Public art is ephemeral by nature. Google 's new project not only catalogs an artist's work but archives it and allows people to see the art long after it has disappeared.

Shepard Fairey

long people art

Why is non-commercial public expression considered criminal?

Shepard Fairey

criminals expression

I've never really considered myself just a street artist. I consider myself a populist.

Shepard Fairey

streets graffiti artist

I want to be proud of this country [the USA], but when aspects of our policy don't align with my ethics, I want to protest them and try to change them. Being complicit because it's the home team is nationalism, not patriotism.

Shepard Fairey

team home country

Skateboarding has always been and continues to be creative and rebellious. Art and design are an extremely important part of skateboard culture, even if it's not recognized by the more elitist or pretentious members of the art world. Skateboarding itself requires creative adaptation to the streets and obstacles. My background as a skateboarder helped me to be a better street artist because I was already conditioned to look at the terrain opportunistically.

Shepard Fairey

design creative art

I've never had an original thought in my lifeand there's tons of people on the internet happy to tell me just that.

Shepard Fairey

original-thought internet people

I think the idea of freedom or liberty is really misused for political reasons, but it's something that resonates with people to the core. People want to be masters of their own destinies, but at the same time, I think they do so selectively. Sometimes they want to be told exactly what to do so they don't have to think for themselves - as long as they can still exercise their free will.

Shepard Fairey

destiny exercise thinking

I try to find a balance between positivity and negativity, celebration and critique in my work; I think there is room for both.

Shepard Fairey

negativity positivity thinking

Every spoof gives more power to the original.

Shepard Fairey

spoof brilliant giving

As a street artist, I'm used to sharing my stuff with the public. It's a communal experience. I've learned not to be so precious, but rather to enjoy the process.

Shepard Fairey

ive-learned artist stuff

If being original means having to throw paint in front of a jet turbine to hit a canvas 50 ft away then lets not be original.

Shepard Fairey

canvas paint mean

I think the biggest thing that people fear when it comes to art becoming a business is those authentic, pure aspirations of art being compromised.

Shepard Fairey

people art thinking