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Shepard Fairey better known by his psuedonym, Obey is one of the most prolific contemporary graffiti artists in the US and a key defining figure of the street art movement, globally. Famed for his 2008 Obama ‘hope’ poster, his work is influenced by and informs a critique of both advertising and propaganda, featuring politically charged images of consumer culture in a graphic, retro style. ‘Sonic Firestorm’ draws on antiquated vinyl design, merged with Soviet era propaganda, to create a bold aesthetic. In sepia tones of black and off white, Obey has created a busy, heavily patterned image, adorned with swirls, stripes and scrolls. At the centre, a raised fist brandishes a flaming bottle, surrounded by a circle of text that reads ‘Delivering the Sonic Firestorm Since 1989 Obey Records’. The print deftly brings together themes of commercialisation and branding but, beyond all else, ‘Sonic Firestorm’ is an aesthetic triumph, striking and beautiful to behold.
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