Collective Perspective: Look into Shepard Fairey’s Duality for Humanity Series

A bit of history on the genesis of the series: Al Rockoff collaborated with Shepard to create the Duality of Humanity series based on Rockoff’s coverage of Khmer Rouge takeover of the Vietnam War and Phnom Penh-Cambodia’s capital. Shepard wanted to express the dramatic juxtaposition of war and peace that is accomplished by Rockoff’s photojournalism. Each illustration has been slightly altered, with the photographer’s consent, to create a more powerful symbol for peace. These shpts have been archived since the Vietman War. Since then, Shepard is the first to bring Al’s work to the masses.

The series is comrpised of 5 works, each released in an edition of 450 pieces measuring 18 x 24 inches/46 x 61 cm.

The images that were drawn to Shepard fit exactly with the current times and express same complex emotions many people felt during the Vietnam War and feel today with war in Iraq. The series marks an evolution for the artist, whose unique form of reverse propaganda emerged from the spirit of the punk movement. With this show, Shepard touches upon, but also goes beyond the ‘calls to action’ against mindless consumerism and war evidenced in previous shows like Nineteeneightyfouria, E Pluribus Venom and Imperfect Union. “The difference between this show and the previous ones is that now the optimism of a potential Obama presidency is in the mix,” Shepard said. His recent work reflects his own personal shift towards a new optimism, a direct result of his involvement with, and inspiration by, the powerful political ideals of Barack Obama.

Shepard Fairey on the series: ”Al Rockoff’s photos reveal the brutality, but also the conflicted humanity seen in war. The risks Rockoff took to capture his images were often as great as the risks of the subjects he wished to document. I’m honored to be able to work with Al Rockoff.” - S

For more information on the artist or to acquire a piece from the series please contact us at Cinque@CinqueCollective.Com or visit http://cinquecollective.com/artist/shepard-fairey/