Talking Points: Shepard Fairey
What are the benefits of creating artwork outside a gallery setting?
Working across a range of media, Shepard Fairey creates art that reaches beyond the traditional gallery setting. Through striking imagery and graphic design, he encourages people to engage with social and political issues, using art as a tool to inspire conversation and positive change.
Watch the videos below and use the following questions to begin a discussion about the work of Shepard Fairey.
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Shepard Fairey
Shepard Fairey is a contemporary street artist and activist. In his work he tackles topics such as political power and propaganda. Fairey uses stencils and screen print to make his work.
The Black Hills Are Not For Sale, Screen Print, 18 x 24 inches, July 2012
See more at Faireys website and Instagram feed
Questions to Ask Children
How many processes can you identify in the first video? Why do you think Shepard uses so many different processes/mediums?
When you look at Fairey’s ‘The Black Hills Are Not For Sale’ what do you see?
If you don’t know about the Black Hills can you still figure out what this artwork might be trying to communicate?
Why is it important for artists to create work that questions what is going on in the world?
Do you think that Faireys work is successful in communicating important messages? Why do you think this?
This Talking Points Is Used In...
using sketchbooks to make visual notes
Show me what you see
