Can’t Take The Vandal Out Of Shepard

Mastermind behind the ANDRE THE GIANT mug shot SHEPARD FAIREY has been in the news a lot lately.  Since creating the very iconic Barack Obama poster that was vandalized onto countless city streets, it quickly became a hit seen on almost one in every ten vehicles.  Not literally but it seemed like it.  And one had to think, “Dang, I bet he didn’t think that his graphic would blow up this much.”  The think nearly took on a life of its own.  Especially after the graphic was used for the cover of Time Magazine. 

Now that the election is over, it looks like Shepard can’t stay out of the news even if he can help it.  Last Friday night on the way to the Institute of Contemporary Art for a solo exhibit called “Supply and Demand 2”, Shepard was arrested for vandalizing two properties with the face of the GIANT. 

There lies the problem.  Shepard Fairey is not a household name, but his images are.  And I believe he’s learning that tagging up properties with his images can be as damning as writing his name and address on private property.  It’s likely that he may not bring back some of the old graphics again. 

And Shepard made it onto the news again because the image that he used for the Barack Obama graphic is being disputed on who owns the rights to that image.  The original Associated Press photographer?  Or Shepard.  The photographer is actually honored that the image had made such an impact.  I say they should just share the profits.