“The Misfits are a punk rock revelation and a band that have mesmerized me from my first introduction to them in 1985. The Misfits art is pure alchemy genius and the best example of remixing marginal subculture imagery into a cohesive cult brand in history. I remember making my first homemade stencil of the Misfits fiend skull back in the mid ‘80s and how proud I was of how it looked sprayed on a t-shirt. It was fun to revisit stenciling the Misfits imagery and is a reminder that my entire career is built on do-it-yourself empowerment!” 

Shepard Fairey is an American graphic artist and social activist who is part of the Street Art movement along with other artists including Banksy and Mr.Brainwash. Fairey blurs the boundary between traditional and commercial art through type and image, communicating his brand of social critique via prints, murals, stickers, and posters in public spaces. “Art is not always meant to be decorative or soothing, in fact, it can create uncomfortable conversations and stimulate uncomfortable emotions,” he stated. Born on February 15, 1970 in Charleston, South Carolina, Fairey graduated from the Rhode Island School of Design in 1992 where he earned his Bachelor of Arts in illustration. In 1989 Fairey created the André the Giant Has a Posse sticker campaign, featuring a stylized image of the wrestler André the Giant. This project  was the foundation for his seminal Obey series, which helped to push Fairey into the public spotlight. The artist is perhaps best known for his Hope (2008) campaign, which portrays a portrait of then-presidential candidate Barack Obama, in red, white, and blue. In 2017, the artist created a series of three posters— featuring portraits of culturally diverse women, again using a red, white, and blue color scheme—in response to the xenophobic rhetoric of President-elect Donald Trump. Fairey currently lives and works in Los Angeles, CA. His works are included in the collections of the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C., the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, and the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.

The Misfits invasion started in 1977… It was all DIY, built on imagination and totally unique in concept. We were just as rebellious in our music, as we were with our sense of style. The ominous words “Teenagers from Mars” were painted in bold black letters on the back of a sweater bought at the Salvation Army to mark the beginning of a cultural revolution; one that has finally come full circle—four decades later. The DIY street art ethic of Obey is a perfect fit with the Misfits. We want, we need, we’ll take it!!! And now we have! Status quo is the enemy…

– Jerry Only