Who Is Shepard Fairey? Age, Biography and Wiki
Shepard Fairey was born on February 15, 1970. As of 2025, he is 55 years old. Fairey is best known for his iconic street art, including the "Hope" poster of Barack Obama. His work often addresses social and political issues and has been a significant influence in the contemporary art scene. Over the years, Fairey has combined art and activism, using his platform to champion various causes.
| Occupation | Graphic Designer |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | February 15, 1970 |
| Age | 55 Years |
| Birth Place | Charleston, South Carolina, U.S. |
| Horoscope | Aquarius |
| Country | U.S |
Popularity
Shepard Fairey's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
Shepard Fairey stands approximately 6 feet tall (183 cm) and weighs around 175 pounds (79 kg). His physique reflects the active lifestyle of an artist who often works outdoors on large scale murals and public art installations. Details regarding his specific measurements are not publicly disclosed, but he maintains a healthy and athletic build.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Shepard Fairey is married to Amanda Fairey, who is also an artist and has been a supportive presence in his life. They have been together for many years and have a family that includes children. In his public statements, Fairey often expresses the importance of family and how it inspires his work. There is no public indication of any extramarital relationships, and he maintains a relatively private personal life away from the art world.
His father, Strait Fairey, is a doctor, and his mother, Charlotte, a realtor. He attended Porter-Gaud School in Charleston and transferred to high school at Idyllwild Arts Academy in Idyllwild, California, from which he graduated in 1988.
Net Worth and Salary
As of 2025, Shepard Fairey has an estimated net worth of approximately $10 million. His income primarily comes from his artwork, merchandise, collaborations with brands, and speaking engagements. Fairey has successfully leveraged his brand, leading to lucrative endorsements and exhibitions worldwide.
Originally, Fairey had claimed his HOPE poster was based on a 2006 copyrighted photo of then-Senator Barack Obama seated next to actor George Clooney, taken in April 2006 by Mannie Garcia on assignment for the Associated Press, which wanted credit and compensation for the work.
Garcia believes that he personally owns the copyright for the photo, and has said, "If you put all the legal stuff away, I’m so proud of the photograph and that Fairey did what he did artistically with it, and the effect it's had". Fairey said his use of the photograph fell within the legal definition of fair use.
Fairey claims he used pieces of the photo as raw material to create a heroic and inspirational political portrait, the aesthetic of which was fundamentally different from the original photo. Lawyers for both sides tried to reach an amicable agreement.
Career, Business and Investments
Shepard Fairey's career began in the late 1980s with his "Obey Giant" project, which started as a sticker campaign and evolved into a global art movement. He has since expanded his portfolio to include large-scale murals, album covers, and commercial work. Fairey is also involved in various business ventures, including his own clothing line and a studio that focuses on producing limited-edition prints and merchandise. His investments in the art market and collaborations with high-profile companies continue to bolster his financial standing.
Frank Shepard Fairey (born February 15, 1970) is an American contemporary artist, activist and founder of OBEY Clothing who emerged from the skateboarding scene. In 1989, he designed the "Andre the Giant Has a Posse" (...OBEY...) sticker campaign while attending the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD).
Social Network
Shepard Fairey is highly active on social media platforms, including Instagram and Twitter, where he shares his artwork, thoughts on social issues, and updates on his projects. His online presence is significant, boasting hundreds of thousands of followers who engage with his content regularly. Fairey's use of social media not only serves as a promotional tool but also as a way to connect with fans and supporters globally.
"From the late ’90s until about 2001," writes Ken Leighton in The San Diego Reader, Fairey lived in East Village, San Diego, where, according to a friend quoted in the article, he co-founded a "guerrilla marketing company called Black Market Design." According to John Goff, a former member of the San Diego–based "tribal post-punk" industrial-no
ise performance art band Crash Worship, Fairey began appropriating the Russian Constructivist style utilized in Soviet-era propaganda during his time in San Diego.
"'I think he became an art icon when he started focusing on Communist imagery,' Goff says. 'He was still in San Diego then. I first met him when he was working above Hooter’s in the Gaslamp.'"
Education
Shepard Fairey attended the Rhode Island School of Design, where he earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree. His education played a crucial role in shaping his artistic style and approach to graphic design. The skills he acquired during his time at RISD have allowed him to blend fine art with commercial design seamlessly, making him one of the most recognizable artists of his generation.
Fairey became involved with art in 1984, when he started to place his drawings on skateboards and T-shirts. He moved to Rhode Island in 1988 to attend the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD). In 1992, he earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Illustration from RISD.
