Fairey use?

dk — Sat, 07 Feb 2009 18:18:45 +0000

Obama by Shepard Fairey

The maverick illustrator Shepard Fairey (whom I know, have written about several times* and have great respect for) is being sued for his use of the AP photograph of Obama which was the basis of his now iconic O Man image.

The irony is the degree to which Fairey’s image has been appropriated by others – without permission and for profit. Fairy takes action against those who want to profit from this primarily altruistic ‘gift’ to the people.

In addition, many others have appropriated Fairey’s posterized style of illustration. Fairey was commissioned, to illustrate the Time magazine 2008 Man of the Year cover of Obama in his inimitable style (and not using the AP image).

Is it fair to take others’ copyrighted work if they are changed significantly in the process? Should artists be able to appropriate the artistic works of others to create a new work? Leave me a comment below. Let’s discuss!

From the lower east side of Manhattan. The police are gonna get you Shepard Fairey!

Fairey, for those who don’t know the man and his mission is a maverick illustrator who has been arrested many times for wild posting his images on private property in the dead of night. His work gets wrecked by others – splashed – by those who don’t appreciate the politics of street art. I would be proud to display one of his posters on MY Brooklyn building (just so you know, SF). Many street artists (like Banksy, Judith Supine, Momo) risk hefty fines and jail time to get their work into the public realm (some are careful to avoid private property).

*notably, see DIsobey the Giant and Deceit of Packaging which may be downloaded from my library – DK’s Books and Articles

DK Holland » Fairey

Fairey use?