Frank Shepard Fairey is a well-known graphic designer, contemporary street artist, illustrator, activist, and the founder of OBEY Clothing in the United States. During the 2008 U.S. presidential election, he became famous for his “Andre the Giant Has a Posse” sticker drive and his President Barack Obama’s “Hope” poster.
His work can be found in prestigious museums such as the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, the Smithsonian, the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts in Richmond, the Museum of Modern Art in New York City, and the Victoria and Albert Museum in the United Kingdom.
He is regarded as a highly innovative and creative individual who is frequently accused of plagiarizing the work of other artists. He has won the AS220 Free Culture Award as well as the Brit Insurance Design Awards Design of the Year.
Quick Facts
| Celebrated Name: | Shepard Fairey |
| Real Name/Full Name: | Frank Shepard Fairey |
| Gender: | Male |
| Age: | 53 years old |
| Birth Date: | February 15, 1970 |
| Birth Place: | Charleston, South Carolina |
| Nationality: | American |
| Height: | 5 ft 9 inches |
| Weight: | 70 kg |
| Sexual Orientation: | Straight |
| Marital Status: | Married |
| Wife/Spouse (Name): | Amanda Fairey (2001) |
| Children/Kids (Son and Daughter): | Yes (Vivienne and Madeline.) |
| Dating/Girlfriend (Name): | N/A |
| Is Shepard Fairey Gay?: | No |
| Profession: | American street artist and graphic designer |
| Salary: | NA |
| Net Worth in 2024: | $18 million |
Shepard Fairey Biography
Shepard Fairey was born in Charleston, South Carolina. His father, Strait Fairey, is a doctor, and his mother, Charlotte, used to be a realtor. From his childhood, he had a creative mind. When he was a teenager, he used to experiment with art by putting his creations on T-shirts and skateboards. When he was older, he enjoyed decorating public places by pasting his creations (posters) with water and wheat flour paste.
Shepard studied at the prestigious Idyllwild School of Arts and Music in Idyllwild, California. He attended the Rhode Island School of Design after graduating in 1988. He worked part-time in a skateboarding store.
Shepard Fairey Age, Height, Weight
Shepard Fairey was born on February 15, 1970, He is 53 years old as of 2024. He stands 5 feet 8 inches tall and weighs 70 kg.
Career
Shepard Fairey launched his first company, Alternate Graphics, in 1992. He was a student at RISD at the time. In 1994, he met US filmmaker Helen Stickler, who collaborated with him on a short documentary film titled ‘Andre the Giant Has a Posse.’ It debuted at the 1995 New York Underground Film Festival.
In the year 1997, Shepard Fairey co-founded the design studio “BLK/MRKT Inc.” with Phillip DeWolff and Dave Kinsey.
Shepard and his wife established a “Studio Number One” design firm in 2003. This company creates book and album covers. So far, they’ve designed the poster for the film ‘Walk the Line,’ as well as the cover for the music album ‘Monkey Business.’
Shepard was also involved in the “Be the Revolution” street art campaign in 2004. Shepard created the incredible Barack Obama “Hope” poster, which became extremely popular during the 2008 Presidential elections. The poster was published in the book ‘Art For Obama: Designing Manifest Hope and the Campaign for Change’ (2009).
Shepard Fairey Achievements and Awards
Shepard Fairey received the Brit Insurance Design Award in 2009 for the iconic “Hope” poster commemorating President Barack Obama’s inauguration.
In 2010, he was named the recipient of the “AS220 Free Culture Award.” Shepard created the entire design for The Creek South Beach’s “Obey Giant room.” He also designed the covers for books such as The Making of Bitter Tears, Russell Brand’s autobiography “Booky Wook 2,” and a Heartbeat and A Guitar: Johnny Cash, as well as the albums “Must B 21” and “Smashing Pumpkins.”
Tony Hawk’s Underground Two video game incorporates Shepard’s iconic “Obey logo.” It has gotten him a lot of attention from people all over the world.
Shepard Fairey’s Net Worth in 2024
Based on his sources of income, his net worth is estimated to be around $18 million as of February 2024. Shepard co-founded the design firm “BLK/MRKT Inc.”, which specializes in the creation of impactful marketing campaigns for clients such as Pepsi, Netscape, and Hasbro.
He also owns “Studio Number One,” a recording studio that specializes in sticker silkscreens, T-shirts, posters, and skateboards. He also does commercial printing for his clients in addition to this business. They create eye-catching book and music album covers and posters.
Shepard earns money in addition to these sources by running street art campaigns. “Be the Revolution,” “Anti-Bush,” and “Anti-War” are among them.
Shepard Fairey is one of the most influential street artists of our time, with works displayed in prestigious museums all over the world. His designed “Hope” poster for Barack Obama’s presidential election campaign became well-known, propelling him to international prominence.
Shepard Fairey Wife, Marriage
Shepard Fairey married Amanda Ayala in December 2001. The couple has two daughters, Madeline and Vivienne. Shepard currently resides in Los Feliz, Los Angeles, with his wife and daughters.
Shepard works as a Disco Jockey at several clubs as “DJ Diabetic and Emcee Insulin” in addition to being a successful graphic designer. Shepard is a Type 1 diabetic patient.
Shepard is well-known for its humanitarian efforts. He has supported organizations such as the ACLU, the Chiapas Relief Fund, the Art of Elysium, and Feeding America. Following his Obama campaign, Fairey donated the proceeds from the sale of his posters to Feeding America and the ACLU.
Obey Clothing established “The Obey Awareness Program” in 2007 to expand its humanitarian efforts. With this program, he sells specially designed produce while donating all profits to hand-picked non-profit organizations. He has donated his artistic T-shirts to benefit vulnerable children and orphans all over the world.
