Bikers congregate in front of an Obey street piece

Big in the game: Russell Simmons attends the opening

Shepard Fairey at The Deitch Projects

LAVA artist Ashes 57 recently returned from NYC. She was there with the Obey crew, who were helping Shepard Fairey set up his May Day show at the Deitch Projects. Ashes was there primarily to document the event, and true to form, she took some fantastic photos. You can see the full set here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/ashes_57/

New York turned out in force to attend this event; the opening reception witnessed crowd swells more akin to a rock concert than an art show. Meanwhile, it seems that Fairey has gone on the counter-offensive, with a major court case looming large on the horizon:

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/02/10/arts/design/10fair.html

Visiting Studio No. 1  you get a sense that you are entering into a unique working environment. Everyone is really talented and motivated and they are all buzzing around in a productive but slightly chaotic fashion. At the centre of it all is one man; Shepard Fairey. He is a blur of activity, juggling a dozen different things at once without seeming stressed out or put upon. His singleminded determination seems to rub off on those around him; at any rate it is evident that no one is slacking off in Studio No. 1.  Although everyone seems friendly and laid back to talk to, there is a real sense of urgency and dynamism about the place. As a highly sought after design agency there are multiple projects on the go at any one time. While Fairey himself is often on the road installing shows in the world’s most prestigious galleries, the studio is constantly active in his absence.

Fairey took the time to go through the most recent Obey prints with us to pick out some for our forthcoming show. We got a beautiful selection of signed artist proofs, including four that go together really well as a series. We also got a Billy Idol portrait signed by Idol as well as Fairey! Although Obey’s stylistic language is immediately recognisable, he continues to produce strikingly original images and it was a pleasure hearing him talk about his work first hand. He also enthuses about the other work on display throughout the sizeable complex; Banksy, Space Invader, Faile, Skull Phone, they have a huge collection of contemporary street art. Fairey is particularly pleased with the cluster of Barry McGee paintings in his office. He regards the many small canvases as a single piece and confided that it is the most he has ever spent on an artwork.

Visiting Studio One was a memorable experience and I’d like to thank everyone there for taking the time to talk to me. As well as Obey we have Cleon Peterson and Ernesto Yereno lined up, so our group show will have a substantial Studio One contingent.

Then today I acquired a HUMUNGOUS Swoon piece, and a Neck Face watercolour! This trip is proving to be extremely fruitful.

A word of warning: Studio No. 1 is not open to the public; don’t start thinking you can just rock up there and expect a guided tour. It’s not Universal Studios. We only got invited there because Delphine has worked closely with Obey in the past. So don’t try it! You can however visit the Subliminal Gallery on the ground floor. As you would expect they have cool shows there.

http://www.subliminalprojects.com/