Artist Quotes by Shepard Fairey

Art is not always meant to be decorative or soothing, in fact, it can create uncomfortable conversations and stimulate uncomfortable emotions.

— Shepard Fairey

I think that art has the ability to capture people's imaginations and make them think that more is possible.

— Shepard Fairey

Street art, of course, is political, because it's illegal, so the very act of doing it is an act of defiance.

— Shepard Fairey

The way I make art, the way a lot of people make art, is as an extension of language and communication, where…

— Shepard Fairey

I think the biggest thing that people fear when it comes to art becoming a business is those authentic, pure aspirations of…

— Shepard Fairey

I've never really considered myself just a street artist. I consider myself a populist.

— Shepard Fairey

The argument that most lawmakers make about graffiti is that it's illegal because it's an eyesore, but you could easily argue that…

— Shepard Fairey

Public art is ephemeral by nature. Google 's new project not only catalogs an artist's work but archives it and allows people…

— Shepard Fairey

If I spend time conceiving and making a piece of art, and somebody else sees that it has market value and replicates…

— Shepard Fairey

Art making comes from the human desire to share something that is universal in one sense, but unique to your sensibility in…

— Shepard Fairey

I never set out to be a groundbreaking artist in the sense of doing something that's never been done before. I set…

— Shepard Fairey

I admire Ai Weiwei for his art and his activism. His art is beautiful in form, and in function embodies the principles…

— Shepard Fairey

People romanticize struggle and obscurity, and I get that, but it's a very one-dimensional argument to say that people who have money…

— Shepard Fairey

A lot of people thought I got famous as a studio artist, then decided to cash in on it. But it actually…

— Shepard Fairey

My idea about the role of artists is to get people to look at things in a way that's different than the…

— Shepard Fairey

I consider myself a multi-platform artist - not just a street artist - but the audience I found through street art has…

— Shepard Fairey

Skateboarding has always been and continues to be creative and rebellious. Art and design are an extremely important part of skateboard culture,…

— Shepard Fairey

The way I make art - the way a lot of people make art - is as an extension of language and…

— Shepard Fairey

As a street artist, I'm used to sharing my stuff with the public. It's a communal experience. I've learned not to be…

— Shepard Fairey

I don't have this obsessive need to do street art all the time because it's already opened doors for me.

— Shepard Fairey

Art shows and the institutions end up being the couriers for culture for the next generation and are an important component as…

— Shepard Fairey

For me, there has always been a disconnect with the sort of elitist structure of the high-art world - and my distaste…

— Shepard Fairey