Meet Martine Johanna the newest member of the women’s artist series from OBEY. As a Amsterdam native she continues to push her experiences and influences from her surroundings into her art. She says she was born with the spirit of an artist, as soon as she could participate in anything artsy she would including drawing, storytelling, painting, to watching odd movies. At the young age of 19, Martine got accepted into the academy of arts in the city of Arnhem, Holland in the fashion department where she would later us that to good use.
She loved the whole aesthetic of designing and took a great deal of pleasure in her path of profession, but a part of her just couldn’t let go of her interest in drawings and enormous paper projects. So when post graduation came alongshe got a position as an all-over pattern designer and shortly thereafter became a womenswear designer for the street wear brand, Gsus-Sindustries.
She enjoyed her job, but her passion was dying to get out. While she was in Amsterdam she began to paint huge murals on building and met some incredible people while doing so. She in turn quit her day job and started to live for her passion. She began drawing and painting on a number of panels including canvas and wood.
As an artist for OBEY, she always maintained to explore the depths of a subject and equate it into a visual of her own understanding and perception. A major theme of the her collection within OBEY is that of American culture. She loves the U.S. and its history of odd events that led to the development of our country. A number of the aesthetics she wants to portray is the cult origin, urban legends, and beautiful scenery that grace the landscape. One of her designs is a double headed Eagle thats translates into the duality and balance within the American culture. Another piece is the flower girl that is a reflection of the time period before the Manson killings that tragically put an end to the morality of the sixties.
In art there’s a number of components that tie into the piece, theres the color theory, matter, style, form, and technique. If you let the audience be aware of your style and content then you’ll reward them with a better understanding and appreciation for your art. If the idea of symbolism is apparent and knowledgable then the viewing experience can be more fulfilling and enriching with more intrigue to look further into the piece.
Theres a an infinite number of revered artists from the past, and their works of art and forever to be cherished. In our day, we have a number of artists that are to follow in the footsteps of the greats that influenced them. One of those artists is Shepard Fairey who is the creator of OBEY. His works of art can be seen across the globe from billboards and buildings to hoodies and t-shirts.
His new series of pieces will be based around a new style called diamond dust printing. Basically its the utilization of a floral type abstraction with the use of a visually enticing style that consist of black and white diamond dust. The new conception of diamond dust is plastered onto the surface of the print that creates a glistening and glamorous aesthetic to the piece. This style was more commonly used by Andy Warhol who used this method to intensify his work with a more stunning look. This style is consistent with Shepard’s intrigue in the use of seduction through marketing and branding.
Sound and Vision are a couple of our senses, they contribute to our attitudes and and our conscious. They can make us feel certain emotions and/or energy. Shep has recognized that in the past and has utilized those senses with striking imagery and explosive themes. His outlook and approach on life can take us to a place that we may have not imagined without his interpretation. As far as sound is concerned, its one of our strongest senses and it can manipulate your thinking patterns in a way you couldn’t believe, add vision and and your sense of hearing is intensified to a another level.
OBEY is the conception of the senses, its purpose is to expand your mind and broaden your thought process. You can blatantly see that with almost every piece they happen to put out. Sound and Vision is just another example of the the thoughts expressed above, and if you have the opportunity to experience it you’ll be awakened. Dj Z-Trip was on the 1′s and 2′s while Shep put together a live visual set to play in harmony along with the music.
OBEY your senses and let your mind drift into a place of serenity and understanding. Shepard and his posse have yet to take over the world, but they have certainly gained a stronghold in the area of fashion as well as ideology. And that alone wasn’t for no reason, it was based solely upon their beliefs and the way that they reveal them.
In case you didn’t know, the OBEY posse has been in the works with a famous footwear brand by the name of Generic Surplus on a new selection of pairs of shoes for the upcoming fall season. This new set of collaborated products brings together and ties in the street wear gap with formal attire that protrudes a certain knack to express the innovative and artistic style of individuals everywhere. The collaboration of these two companies is more than a sales driven campaign, its a harmony of freedom and independence to influence and inspire.
With this campaign being the base for influence, they ended up with an independent film under the name of Disciplines. The film is a series of stories that explains and entails the details that are included in their occupation. It conveys the message and idea of taking on the journey of doing what you love for a living. It embraces the spirit and foresight of director, photographer, as well as the bassist for the musical sensation under the name of the Dum Dum Girls. That director is Malia James, and it includes others as well. Take a look for yourself.
The poverty levels of this country sometimes go unnoticed while we rant, rave, and complain about things that hold little to no importance. Indulgence and fulfillment are two hoarding traits that we as Americans can be subject to. In this day in age, its easy to overlook real issues that aren’t necessarily relevant to your lifestyle. It can be due to social media, social agenda, or it can stem from a variety of different outlets. Whatever it may be, theres still an underlying issue that Americans seem to disregard. Poverty is aligned along the streets of the U.S everywhere, poverty rates are continually rising and the poverty stricken are losing their hope.
Theres been documentaries and covers regarding this matter, but sometimes they don’t cover the full story in depth. They may tell the story from a different view or from their own view, and not connect with the true relevance containing the background behind it. Well director Eric Becker alongside photographer Aaron Huey felt they needed to reveal the reality and sincerity of this topic. “Honor the Treaties” is their tale of poverty behind the Pines Ridge Reservation and the indian people. The documentary took a turn from its original direction of journalism into the viewpoint of an advocate.The ultimate goal was to expose the harsh truth and reality of these problems from the eyes and minds of the people who suffer from them. The project reveals those things through striking imagery as well as powerful footage to convey the overall direction of their goal.
Shepard Fairey doused his abilities with Aaron Huey’s work to create powerful portrayals and depictions that immediately capture the attention of one’s mind. Aaron has accomplished his goal of spreading awareness through his work through many means including a cover for National Geographic as well as Shepard commending him as his take on Aaron’s photographs line the walls of places everywhere. Its a perfect pair of harmony between this collaboration considering their goals and missions are unified in a positive light. While you’re at it, check out the rest of our OBEY catalog right here at Stix.
If you’re not familiar with Keith Haring, now is the time to become acquainted. He has played a major role in our society by contributing to the awareness of AIDS as well as other issues. His expressive approach to artwork and visualizations provides the background to striking imagery that indicates and demonstrates how we understand these social topics. His works have led to the Keith Haring foundation that accommodates children in need as well as individuals that have contracted AIDS/HIV and other epidemics as well.
Keith Haring himself was declared HIV positive in 1988, and that alone contributed to the agenda of spreading awareness as much as possible. A year later he founded the Keith Haring Foundation with having the main goal of providing the necessary tools and ventures to enlighten the masses about the same epidemic that he himself faced throughout the years.
The last years of his life were not short lived, he displayed the story of his life through iconic imagery and stimulating visionaries that are sure to capture the minds and attention of people everywhere. Well as Keith being an icon and a symbol of inspiration, OBEY and the rest of the posse combined forces that aren’t to be reckoned with. They’ve come together for one common cause as stated before.
OBEY your conscious and understand the meaning of awareness. Whats a few moments of discomfort compared to a lifetime?
Shepard Fairey’s vision has came to life throughout the last few years. Their use of striking imagery and powerful portrayals dominate the canvas. OBEY can be seen on t-shirts and snapbacks as well as giant portraits and depictions plastering the cities in countless countries on the globe. The OBEY posse is growing everyday and is for a reason. They have taken the U.S. by storm and are pursuing the rest to join the Posse. From museums in Hollywood to crepes and coffee in Paris, OBEY will be seen.
The crew not only have their hands on the imagery, but they’re also appealing to the sense of one’s hearing. OBEY radio is running amok through Europe with shows in London as well as today being the mark of their Amsterdam showcase. The Posse is beyond the masses and is declining to cease.
Take a look for yourself and see the work of Shepard Fairey along with the Posse, a beautiful sequence played in the harmony of Paris traffic. Every image plays a role in every piece and design thats formed. A broad understanding is what gives us the opportunity to form decisions for ourselves. OBEY does it for us, OBEY your conscious and join the Posse.
Art and music is intertwined. Its an undefined sense of expression that carries meaning and relativity of certain issues and subjects we’re familiar with. Shepard Fairey is notorious when it comes to expression and ideology. He recently awed spectators at his exhibition under the name of Harmony and Discord. As of now, it has been stated that a project is under the way with a collaboration of musician Neil Young. Shepard had the honor to design Neil’s album cover along with eleven different pieces that represent the songs. The album is an interpreted version of classical all American folk tunes.
The process was unique as to how the collaboration came about. Shepard would listen to melodies while depicting the lyrics with meanings. He would then form sketches for every song and discuss them with Neil. After deliberation and a harmonious understanding, Shepard would then depict the message through interpretive imagery with Neil’s influence combined.
The showcase will be an eyeopener for sure with tremendous amounts of detail and symbolism. It has been stated that this exhibit will be available to the general public at the Perry Rubenstein Gallery located in Los Angeles, CA from the start of June 28th and end on the 14th of July. Be sure to check it out if you have the chance, and while you’re at it, check out our very own collection of Shepard Fairey pieces.
The suspense and anticipation has come to an end. Harmony and Discord is finally here to please eager onlookers and art lovers alike. This show has has been in the works for over a year, and the pieces in this exhibit definitely display that. With all the utilities and materials at hand, Pace Prints play a major role in this partaking. Shepard has been allowed to express his vivid and captivating thoughts across platforms such as metal embossed plates. Thanks to Pace Shepard has the ability to create some of the most incredible works he’s done to date.
The exhibit is in the heart of New York and was set to open May 5th through June 16th. If you’re already a fan OBEY and Shepard’s art, then you’ll love to become acquainted with this showcase. With a broad horizon of topics to relate from, Shepard digs deep into our society and points out key notes. Since the opening of May 5th, the exhibit has been flocked with tourists and admirers alike to capture a glimpse at these incredible pieces. Make sure to take a look if you get the chance, and while you’re at it check out our very own collection of OBEY here at Stix.
If you’re aware of your surroundings, then you’ve probably seen the infamous Andre the Giant stencil lurking around, whether if its on t-shirts or plastered as a mural on a wall. The brand takes a deeper look into society and Shepard Fairey gives us his point of view on matters such as politics and propaganda.
Coming May 5th through June 16 is Shepard Fairey’s first showcase with Pace Prints. He’s also going to reveal his first pieces in handmade paper along with the biggest prints he’s done thus far. The showcase is called Harmony and Discord which features a lot of discussion and interest with our society and economy today. It consists of colossal silk prints created with collage and spray paint, along with other works such as murals alike.
With Pace prints behind him, Shepard has been enabled to created pieces on a grand scale with their equipment. This also marks the first time Shepard will release large metal plates as compositions. He goes above and beyond the standard and creates one of a kind works of art. An example of propaganda is the exposed hidden agenda of political industrialists and their corrupt aura on our economy. A collection of pieces known as the Reagan and friends series illustrates and renders these politicians as conniving and deceiving businessmen. A number of themes and issues are covered in this presentation such as symbols, war, peace, political influence, and of course propaganda.
