As I was writing a previous blog on Shepard Fairey, I came across this stellar interview that was just released on the USA Network. Shepard was interviewed as a recipient of first ever Character Approved Awards which according to the video, “honors individuals from a cross-section of creative disciplines who are positively influencing American culture”. In addition to the high accolades Shepard has been receiving from people across the world, his Obama “Hope” print was recently added to the Smithsonian’s permanent collection. He’s also having his fair share of legal troubles with the AP press, and the city of Boston. But through all of the media hype, this interview cuts to the heart of the philosophical ideas behind his work.

One of my favorite quotes is, “The argument that graffiti is an eyesore and that advertising is ok because it’s paid for seems a bit ridiculous to me.” This is a brilliant observation, and something that people don’t really think about. So, props to Shepard for cutting through what we as consumers are told to believe, and instead challenging people to think for themselves and live a more conscious life.

Check out the video below, the payoff is worth your time, if I may say so myself.