I. FROM WRESTLING RING TO WORLD DOMINATION

In 1989, a Rhode Island School of Design student slapped a sticker on a skateboard. The image: Andre the Giant's face, rendered crude and confrontational. The text: "ANDRE THE GIANT HAS A POSSE." No one, including Shepard Fairey himself, could have predicted this inside joke would evolve into the most successful street art campaign in history.

The Obey Giant campaign represents something unprecedented in art history—a single image that transcended graffiti, infiltrated mainstream culture, and spawned a global brand while maintaining underground credibility. This catalog traces the complete evolution of the Giant, from xeroxed stickers to museum walls, examining key iterations, rare variants, and the philosophical shift from "Posse" to "Obey."

II. WORK 1: Original Andre Sticker (1989)

4x5.5" sticker | Black & White | Hand-screened

The ur-text of street art. Fairey appropriated Andre's image from a newspaper ad for wrestling matches, adding "ANDRE THE GIANT HAS A POSSE" and vital stats: "7'4", 520 lb." Early versions were photocopied; later runs screen-printed.

Production Details:

• First 100 photocopied at Kinko's
• Subsequent runs screen-printed in dorm room
• Size variations due to manual production

Cultural Impact:

• Spread via skateboard culture nationwide
• Cease-and-desist from Andre's estate in 1994
• Forced evolution to "Obey Giant"

Available for Acquisition:

• Original 1989-1990 stickers: $500–$1,000 each
• Sheets of 10: $3,000–$5,000
• Condition: Vintage stock, some yellowing

III. WORK 2: Icon Face (1996)

18x24" screenprint | Edition of 200 | Black on cream

Post-lawsuit, Fairey abstracted Andre's features into the "Icon Face"—a stylized visage that retained recognition while avoiding likeness rights. This became the Obey logo, appearing on everything from wheat-pastes to clothing.

Design Evolution:

• Simplified to essential features
• Influenced by Russian Constructivism
• Functions as both art and logo

Available for Acquisition:

• Est. Value (2025): $2,500–$3,500
• Condition: 3 available, minor edge wear

IV. WORK 3: "OBEY" Campaign Launch (1995)

24x36" offset poster | Mass-produced | Multiple variants

The word "OBEY" transformed the project from prank to phenomenon. Inspired by the film "They Live," it added layers of meaning—consumerism critique, authority questioning, philosophical provocation.

Key Variants:

• Red/Black/Cream (standard)
• Silver metallic (limited)
• Inverted colors (error prints)

Distribution Strategy:

• 50,000+ distributed free via mail
• Wheat-pasted in major cities globally
• Included in skateboard video premieres

Available for Acquisition:

• Original 1995 posters: $200–$400
• Complete variant set: $800–$1,200
• Signed versions: $1,500–$2,000

V. WORK 4: Giant Worldwide Series (2000-2005)

18x24" screenprints | Edition of 300 each | 12 cities

Fairey created location-specific Giants for major cities—Tokyo Giant, London Giant, NYC Giant—each incorporating local visual vernacular while maintaining the core icon.

Design Elements Per City:

• Tokyo: Rising sun rays, Japanese text
• London: Union Jack patterns, punk aesthetics
• NYC: Subway map lines, borough codes
• Paris: Art Nouveau borders, French slogans

Available for Acquisition:

• Individual cities: $600–$900
• Complete 12-city set: $8,000–$10,000
• Condition: Various, most unframed

VI. WORK 5: 30th Anniversary Giant (2019)

24x36" screenprint | Edition of 500 | Metallic inks

Commemorating three decades of the Giant, this retrospective piece layers imagery from the campaign's evolution—original sticker, Icon Face, global variations—into a meta-commentary on its own history.

Special Features:

• Holographic elements revealing hidden imagery
• Timeline of campaign milestones in border
• Signed and numbered with anniversary seal

Available for Acquisition:

• Est. Value (2025): $1,200–$1,800
• Condition: Mint, stored flat

VII. RARE VARIANTS & ERROR PRINTS

The Misprint Giants (Various Years)

Registration errors, ink bleeds, and printing mistakes created accidental variants now highly sought by collectors. Notable examples include:

• Double-printed Giants (ghost images)
• Color separation errors (psychedelic effects)
• Upside-down text variants
• Paper fold misprints

Available for Acquisition:

• Authenticated errors: $800–$2,500
• Depends on visual impact and rarity

VIII. THE PHILOSOPHY OF PHENOMENOLOGY

The Giant campaign operates on multiple levels:

1. Phenomenological Experiment: Testing how repeated exposure creates meaning

2. Anticonsumerist Satire: "Obey" mocks blind brand loyalty while building a brand

3. Democratic Art Distribution: Free stickers and posters bypass gallery systems

4. Visual Virus: Self-replicating through participant distribution

This multivalence explains its longevity. The Giant means nothing and everything—a blank screen for projection, a mirror for cultural anxieties.

IX. AUTHENTICATION & COLLECTING NOTES

Identifying Genuine Early Works:

• Paper quality varies (early works on cheap stock)
• Hand-cutting evident on 1989-1992 stickers
• Screen texture differs from digital prints
• Check for period-appropriate adhesive on stickers

Investment Perspective:

• Early stickers appreciate 20-30% annually
• Complete evolutionary sets command premiums
• Authenticated street pieces (removed posters) gaining value
• Cross-collect with clothing line for complete archive

All works above are available for acquisition. Each piece includes certificate of authenticity and detailed provenance when applicable.