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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. ‘Luxurious Sounds’ draws on 1950s vinyl design to create a bold aesthetic. In sepia tones of black and off white, Obey has filled the print with shapes, symbols and text, to create a compositionally powerful image that harks back to a bygone time. The word ‘Obey’, in art deco font, sits in a circle at the print’s centre, angled diagonally in a way that captures the dynamic, spinning movement of vinyl. The print deftly brings together themes of commercialisation and branding but, beyond all else, ‘Luxurious Sounds’ is an aesthetic triumph, striking and beautiful to behold.
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