Shepard Fairey on Banksy

Listen to the whole interview:
beta.wnyc.org/shows/bl/2010/ap...
Shepard Fairey, the street artist featured in the new Banksy film "Exit Through The Gift Shop", explains the film, if it's real, what it says about the art world, and why he continues to play along.

[@jmanbgg]

Shepard is a homie

[@johnnyboy6143]

Shepard Fairey always has an authentic perfect answer to everything in every video we have of him very authentic man overall I apprecaite with his fame that he didn't become fake.

[@TheMeanies1]

this guy's words are as poetic as his art

[@tomelifeisjustonebig]

I like Shepard. He's articulate and intelligent.

[@Argonautica8]

i thought mr brainwash was a living banksy piece for a while

[@53johnnyb]

Finally, a rational person on the topic.

[@catsadilla324]

it's easy to criticize. It's harder to critique. most people think they do the latter.

[@gonzalezluis463]

Shepared fairy is a street artist not a graffiti

[@Fuckislam76]

Everyone here is just a little too obsessed - Especially the one calling them sell outs- Let these dudes get MONEY!! quit being a hater spray paint is not free- and one's time comes and goes - just because your broke don't mean everyone else should be too

[@DasUbermonk]

@rudeboytony Hey, thanks for that tip on Blek Le Rat. I had actually seen some of his work back in art school some years ago, but I never got his name. Then I got to know Banksy and started wondering if this french guy really existed or if I had just mixed the two up in my head. Now I know. You made justice to him, at least in my head :)

[@planetarynm]

Shepard has his hand in all art forms, it's amazing! He even did the artwork and released Ashtar Command's new CD on his Obey Giant label!

[@jeffwooten5205]

I'm chiming in late without reading all of the many comments, but I personally like Banksy's work. I'm a 60 year old guy from NC, USA but I have always liked art in all of it's forms. This is art. It should be protected in my opinion. Before I learned about Banksy, I had played a PlayStation game named Infamous Second Son. It was about going around city's and tagging turf among other things. If you like Banksy's work, you should check it out!

[@Ziontrainism]

Great interview

[@ronr.53400]

Ziontrainism shepards cool .. run Banksy, runnnnn 😂

[@laurablixt8182]

also, your mural looked great....after btm and al crew ragged it!!

[@cloud9comicsjaysonmalit301]

I member sheps Art in the 90's under the bay bridge (that face ..that Andre the giant face lol man I never knew it was Andre the Giants face )

[@JuliusSpin]

Cool interview.

[@jext678]

2020 anybody?

[@HBCult]

very well articulated argument Shepard. props

[@thejoydivision8]

Met Sheppard in San Fran back in 1999, he was nice.

[@thomasj.shanklin8970]

obey made the sweetest blanket for me. BIG UP SHEPARD FAIREY

[@Amer_Stickers]

I wish I heard this on the radio...

[@Shawnkells]

Very impressed by Mr. Fairey, he is articulate and very down to earth and very talented.

[@Mustach3Mast3r]

I saw my first bansky artwork on Saturday near Broadway Yes it's graffiti but his art means something it's amazing

[@jaybee6861]

Graffiti....that's a joke.

[@jaybee6861]

+Joshua Smith graffiti is great, little bitch. Banksy doesn't write graffiti. Cliff notes for idiots. Go buy a tampon.

[@Pinhead101]

Kek sheep

[@tamagochiboy6509]

Banksy was too slow to paint graffities

[@Zoootex]

cool interview

[@FloydRisingHD]

Just because his stuff gets preserved by the city doesn't mean it isn't graff, bro. It just shows that Banksy's stuff is actually enjoyed by people because it's something different. It's clever, it's original, and it represents something. It's not his fault that the city actually likes it.. There's just a lotta hipsters these days that are really mainstream and easily impressed by bad and good things. Such as Mr.Brainwash being the bad things, and Banksy being the good things..

[@Inuaraq0111]

love the fact that he hates on MBW!

[@romaerb4161]

Banksy has elevated the standard of truthful reflections of the self and your place in the world you share with others, and it hurts sometimes.

[@MrTheGameNarrator]

Banksy is fior me an amazing artist. A lot of his work is incredibly clever and portrays what modern life is like very well. I used to live quite close to Bristol so I saw a lot of his work a lot of the time. He's great.

[@syensfivek5725]

a lot of his "work" was straight stolen from blek.

[@HeislTalk]

SYENS fiveK Yeah. Blek was the one who had the idea of the rats rushing the city. Also Banksy plays a big role in the discussion about robbos death

[@FallenKiller141]

He didn't copy blek. Banksy said an interview it was coincidental and blek didn't care. Get your shit straight

[@HeislTalk]

Joshua Plascencia you dont have to get personal, its just my opinion. I think that banksy is a respectless artist, who has nothing to do with Graffiti etc...

[@newmaj1482]

yeah its really "coincidental" that most of his pieces are pretty much exactly the same

[@cocacowboy21]

its time we all re-invent ourselves,my philosophy is "why live life if your not living it the way you want

[@drumstick74]

@xxRawrRawr "Exit Through The Gift Shop", Banksy's movie about Mr Brainwash

[@alchemist.bansky1678]

COME TO INDIA ! - LONG TIME WORSHIPPER

[@moptopskate]

damn shepard is so well spoken!

[@maxwelter758]

Love you Shepard.

[@monteoner]

Lol, sheppard has the freedom to not do press. He fucking loves it

[@soapybee4471]

Sheps a tosser

[@wabbit_x970]

He didn't say he say he disliked it . He was just making a point for his question regarding banaky

[@wabbit_x970]

*Banksy

[@lexi6693]

watching and studying Banksy. Im baffled by the thought that even Robbo and Shepard and probably half of the artists in the world knew who Banksy is, but none ever came out on TV and exposed him, for Me that's what respect is all about. They knew its important for Banky not to be exposed and they could have earned a lot but they chose not to.

[@nubpuncher6969]

I think that Banksy is trying to draw attention to issues that our society tries hard to ignore. I don't agree with everything he has done, especially in his past. However, he is my favorite artist right now, by far. Shepard is a cool, well spoken and intelligent guy. Just don't like how many people just focus on their art and their message so much.

[@bingybobbie4630]

I think Bansky created all of Mr.Brainwash artwork but was too pop art to be Banksy’s art, so Mr.Brainwash was created to get it out to people.

[@melbournaut]

I like Banksy because people have told my his art is good. I like the feeling I get when I agree with people and it's nice to be part of a group. Just because his style and the majority of his ideas have been borrowed doesn't mean he isn't the best. Ronald McDonald didn't invent the hamburger but McDonalds is one of the most revered burger restaurants in the world. People who doubt Banksy's authenticity are forgetting the most important credential in street art and that is how much people are willing to pay for it

[@dirtkills]

Mcdonalds burgers suck as does banksy

[@pzmqd]

Conceptual Art!

[@meximeltbetch]

banksy is a real artist bro as is shepard fairey

[@robertmharper]

To the interviewer: who are the art stars if not Fairey and Banksy?

[@vankallahan59]

Robert Harper Society made them stars. That's not graff.

[@JX1900XJ]

Jeff Koons, Jasper Johns, Chris Wool, Takashi Murakami, Damien Hirst, Tracey Emin, The Chapman Bros, Bridget Riley, ....all alive today - prior to that Lucien Freud, Francis Bacon, Andy Warhol, Picasso, Dali, Duchamp, Brancusi, Miro......Titian, Da Vinci, Carravaggio, Michelangelo.....

[@deancastle9807]

#Teamrobbo

[@deancastle9807]

#Teamrobbo

[@15volsky69]

#fuckyou and enjoy art

[@explosivemind08]

#teamtrump

[@deancastle9807]

#teamrobbo #unicornpower #chettoman #a_bad_version_of_garfield #its_okay_i_hate_everyone_equally

[@NaSamymDnie16400]

Brian Lehrer = living legend

[@ttllymxico]

i remember him on fotolog he was nice

[@RosesOverDiamonds]

@darselparsel obey is his brand. all his art

[@Jaylasplenty]

4:11 The way he asked him that question and you just felt like, Damn that's pretty messed up.One of the things they teach you in Art school is if you're going to "borrow" an image you have to give credit and distort it enough as to not get you sued.Today's art is going to eventually force us to be original and actually make us think about and depict the present instead of stealing, and dwelling on the past.Every artists' moral value is in check.Art for social justice,money, or power???

[@alicequayle4625]

Shepard is talented he reinterprets elaborates transforms doesn't just copy. Most artists use reference images.

[@me53914]

Does shepard fairey paint?or does he just wheat paste?

[@allyroxy1]

obey is a graff artist graff comes in alot of forms it dont have to be spray can and tracks thats where and how it started but in the early 80's and lates aswel it came in wheat pastes and roll up

[@me-cq7wv]

Anyone watching this should watch OBEY GIANT. This guy done it his way.

[@SKYFISHBAND]

Banksy acknowledges that he's inspired by Blek the Rat. Also Blek the Rat and Banksy are friends and want to collaborate.

[@jakemoeller7850]

I've some of this man's art...very cool stuff. O B E Y

[@Jaylasplenty]

Also, how original is art?It's as original as the artist.Do you want the art to reflect you, the times, or the viewer.What is beneficial as a whole? Mostly the most effective art is the one with social impact.It depicts what's best for all.Art with a voice, art that creates human improvement.I think most people would want to make such art.If you know someone making that kind of art today, send me a message and tell me who they are.

[@laurablixt8182]

i feel like shepard fairy is a real nerd.

[@NaSamymDnie16400]

Laura Blixt He looks like Rafterman from "Full Metal Jacket".

[@agentcole1]

+NaSamymDnie yesss

[@teodelfuego]

Right Laura, maybe you and you ur mates can beat him up after school 🙄

[@koko40800]

He looks and talks like he should be working in a bank

[@PeterShieldsukcatstripey]

such a lovely bloke

[@MildlySwanky]

.....no i believe i based it off the documentary in which blek, robbo, and banksy's (and i think some local law enforcement in Britain) opinions all were stated. i also used banksys work (which i already said i like) to form my own opinion on banksy. and in comparison to bleks work, some of banksys work was clearly influenced by blek, close enough to where i think it was almost copied.

[@SiriusLive]

the prank is that all that shit is real and true, a mirror up to the fickle world of art, not only street, since the lines are blurred there between different contemporary art.

[@RodrigoTelloMedina]

yes

[@ve4mm]

Shep is educated and intelligent . He speaks well. I have over 20 Banksy pieces.

[@michaelbatchelor3731]

ve4mm do you want to buy some of mine ? @dynamickart

[@koko40800]

'Shep' is yet another bishy, privileged art school white boy who co-opted an art form started by people of color....surprise surprise, same old story

[@stewartmac1]

No you don't...

[@grbernard314]

Check out Egypt Through The Glass Shop

[@LetThemEatCustard]

@wilduhhh Yes, I did. He was obviously a character "made" for the film, to make a statement about the current state of the art world, and how manufactured it is. Yes, he exists, but hes OBVIOUSLY been created by Banksy for the film.

[@massimilianoazzara9257]

Respect

[@VideoGerm]

Bad artists copy. Good artists steal. - Pablo Picasso

[@Argonautica8]

did you see the movie? you might like it. thats kinda the point of the whole film. you should watch it.

[@baw-buh-cue1848]

Does anyone else REALLY like Shepard Fairey but just not really dig his work? I like his old stuff when he first started out but not so much his recent work.

[@dartwillis]

Shepard Fairey makes major bank. Dude is rolling in cash.

[@estopasowner]

The other day I saw an OBEY hat that costs €50 euro

[@skyluke9476]

estopasowner "the good artists borrow, the great artists steal, the best artists plagerize" -Cl1che

[@catsadilla324]

the rich artists market.

[@jarrad2028]

Fucking wank like supreme SHITE

[@FloydRisingHD]

Look bro, I understand Banksy has a lot of concepts and styles like Blek Le Rat, but Banksy just happened to develop that style as he was starting and finding his own style. He was and is probably more than aware that he has the same stencil style as Blek Le Rat. But the meaning of the stencil is much more important than the resemblance of Blek Le Rat's work and Banksy's work.

[@alicequayle4625]

Stencils have been around a long time.

[@Argonautica8]

you should see the film

[@matteopinix]

yes you're right. I think.

[@dcrockafella]

I have an original shepherd fairy, he's cool i guess. I got it from a friend who he gave it to. They had a falling out.

[@Trial4RTC]

Watch the Blek section of the Banksy vs Robbo section. A lot is Ripped off, a lot isn't.

[@MrJafetmejia]

its all a rip off from the political social messages to the rats

[@cesarbotello3]

I've personally met Bansky and he's No MBW he's just his own man.

[@Stinger198]

@grincho484 I don't think it would be that obvious. Although you do have a point.

[@ensu47]

@popcornfreak129 its true, the whole art prank, but there actually is a video of mbw piecing a huge walll, and he actually does do alot of art, the people that do the work only make the massive prints, and black and white imagery.

[@MildlySwanky]

Please, give me something else to base my opinion on banksy off of. because i would love to hear it.

[@Rankmoistmeat]

@mastermixsable ya that's true....

[@wisdom261]

@Drummaboi2000 YEAH THATS THE WHOLE BASIS OF THE MOVIE IN AWAY

[@Inuaraq0111]

07:18 "is that the way you like it?" what the fuck is that kind of a question to ask?!!!

[@madblunted]

The black hills are not for sale

[@MookieSays1Love]

articulate

[@jm9841]

At 4:10 he says about money etc, does his radio show / podcast run at a loss? Isn't that the whole point? To make enough to eat.

[@TheLoup3105]

Banksy is a artist =)

[@DrSOUNDIFY]

TEAM ROBBO! a real artist doesnt disgrace/mess with an other artist's piece, a real artist looks to his/her competition for inspiration.

[@jerkfacebg]

A real artist doesn't desecrate another artist's work.

[@johnlittle7181]

I pick Biggie!

[@kylehall1432]

citizenihilist it's 2018 now and team Robbo never dies bitch

[@kylehall1432]

Sound Productions King Robbo the King so nice they crowned him twice

[@rosez6737]

you do know the piece was already covered in tags right?

[@jpell6853]

Has anyone ever seen banksy and shepard in the same room 😐

[@cuneoism]

hes cool man

[@TheDilligan]

He didn't know Blek Le Rat.. he started out stencils close to the same time and the concept isnt so original that it would be impossible for other people to come up with it, no one person started stencils and everyone else copied or anything... and His artwork itself is nothing like bleks, they just both use stencils.. using the same medium is not copying or stealing. Banksy is a lot smarter than blek also

[@virusofpeople]

Love to see this comment in 10years

[@LetThemEatCustard]

Are you guys kidding me? Mr. Brainwash isn't an actual artist. He was made by Banksey for the film.

[@TopherTommy]

wait...

[@MildlySwanky]

i mean sure, but he REAAALLLLLLLLLYYY couldve been a ton more original. theres a difference between being inspired and just changing a minor detail. but like i said, banksy has had some pretty dope shit

[@divkid28]

@epohnopulse no he's not there was a pic of the real banksy in a newspaper a few years ago

[@mattehISme]

@Luke139 there is no way to not conform

[@Stinger198]

AHH! I finally get it now! Shepard Fairey is Banksey!

[@pjt3887]

Did I just hear in this interview that this cat was painting over a Keith Herring wall?? WTF!!

[@Luke139]

@BasementBeginnings I like art and video games and music. Got a problem with that?

[@mastermixsable]

@Rankmoistmeat thers no way, there styles are completly diffrent in there in 2 completly diffrent locations

[@thisgame2]

rico1 the next big thing

[@remodan2999]

TEAM ROBBO!!!!!!

[@jakewareham]

for some reason Sheppard reminds me of Henry Rollins, like the grandaddy of punk and the grandaddy of pasing

[@mattdiesel005]

@xxRawrRawr "exit through the gift shop"