Regime Change Starts at Home: Shepard Fairey @ Irvine Contemporary
October 22, 2008 by Dakota 
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All words and photos by Dakota
Regime Change Starts At Home is currently on display at the Irvine Contemporary Gallery in Washington DC. This past Saturday, patrons flocked to Irvine for Shepard Fairey and his portrait of Barack Obama, which seems to have captured the public eye like nary a political figure, except for well, Barack Obama. The popular culture phenomenon catalyzed by Fairey seems to have caught hold of even the most random of popular culture icons, see: NKOTB and Duran Duran.
Also on display are the spectacularly dark sculptures of Al Farrow, and the playful prints of Paul Miller.
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Shepard Fairey (pictured above) resides in Southern California. I had occasion to speak with him briefly about his portrait of Obama and his unique style. He told me that the idea of making a shirt out of the portrait hadn’t really even crossed his mind until he saw others replicating his image and selling the shirts bootleg. At which point he started printing it himself with all proceeds going back into the project, promoting both his artistry and the candidacy of Barack Obama. When I mentioned to him that I had seen a lot of musicians rock the shirt onstage, New Kids on the Block elicited an eye roll, while he did tell me that John Taylor of Duran Duran is a good friend of his.
The exhibit certainly seems to have captured the eye of DC residents, and is well worth a visit. Not only is the art politically relevant and meaningful, it is displayed in a way that invites the spectator to interact with the works. On Saturday night the show seemed to have something for everyone, all ages, best dressed to grungy rockers… Regime Change, if it’s not already on your to do in Washington this week, make it.
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On Saturday night, I must admit, it was soooo packed it was a little distracting, but there is a great mural by Mr. Fairey on the outside wall in the alley behind the gallery, not to miss.
a rather comprehensive list of spots fairey’s bombed in the district: http://www.themarvelouscollective.com/
October 22, 2008 at 3:04 pmdid those people know you were taking pictures of their shoes?? i get the feeling they didn’t. if they were my shoes, i would ask that you take down the photos, and i’d tell you that i didn’t want you near my shoes again. but then again, those aren’t my shoes.
October 22, 2008 at 3:28 pmhahahaha… what can i say? haters hate, it’s what they do!
October 22, 2008 at 3:32 pmif i were into dressing up for halloween (which i never am) i think i would go as a shepard fairey painting. the ideas and possibilities are endless. feel free to take this idea and run with it.
eddie: you are freaking hysterical. i heart you.
October 22, 2008 at 3:39 pmQuick - those of you who have been to my house - is that painting in the dining room, the signed one, with the OBEY thing on it one of this dudes? If so I’m totally going to sell it now that he’s famous.
Sweet. It’s all signed limited and shit. I was actually going to throw it away a couple years ago.
October 22, 2008 at 3:52 pmMichael… you’re funny.
I wonder if Fairey actually put up those wheatpastes himself. Something about being him being a millionaire now makes me think his perspective on going to jail for graffiti a little different.
Ha. Just checked. It is one of his. And it’s signed in pencil. Sweet. I’m totally going to be a millionaire now.
October 26, 2008 at 5:06 pm
also, i hope it goes without mentioning, shepard became largely known for the andre the giant face & the following “obey giant” campaign.
he has some more work up on the side of Marvin, side of Logan Hardware (on the whole foods side), and at 13th & W. theres probably more i havent seen?
October 22, 2008 at 2:45 pm