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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. ‘Tested Performance’ draws on 1950s vinyl design to create a bold aesthetic. In sepia tones of black and off white, Obey has created a compelling, almost hypnotic, spiral pattern, which twists around a circle of text at the centre, reading, ‘Obey Records Tested Performance’. The print deftly brings together themes of commercialisation and branding but, beyond all else, is an aesthetic triumph, striking and beautiful to behold.
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