Shepard Fairey "Overloading the Grid (David Byrne)" Print

Shepard Fairey
Overloading the Grid (David Byrne), 2024
Screen Print on thick cream Speckletone paper
18 x 24 in
Edition of 550

Hand Signed & Numbered by the artist. Accompanied by Digital Certificate of Authenticity provided by Verisart. Original illustration based on photograph by Bobby Grossman.

FROM SHEPARD FAIREY

I’ve been a fan of the Talking Heads since I was a kid and heard songs like "Once in A Lifetime” and "Burning Down the House” on the radio, well before I discovered punk rock and understood the Talking Heads’ important role in the nascent punk scene as it developed in NYC at CBGB’s in the mid-70’s. I remember seeing the film Stop Making Sense on HBO as a teen and thinking the Talking Heads singer, David Byrne, was very weird and very fearless to dance around in an absurdly oversized suit. I didn’t yet realize that exploring the awkward nature of existence was precisely Byrne’s strong suit! Later, as I got a little more sophisticated, I realized how creatively adventurous the Talking Heads were both musically and with their visuals. I also was excited to find that David, Tina, and Chris all met at the Rhode Island School of Design, the same art college I attended. For this “Overloading the Grid” (David Byrne) print, I collaborated with photographer Bobby Grossman who worked with the Talking Heads in the 70’s. Bobby is also who I’ve collaborated with on three different Debbie Harry images. My inspiration for the grid in the print is the cover of the Talking Heads' album "More Songs About Buildings and Food” whose cover conceived by Byrne uses a grid of close-up Polaroids to form a full picture of the band. I’ve always loved the fractured, imperfect mosaic of that cover. I also like the idea that David Byrne, as a creative visionary, found powerful tension between appealing melody, unexpected sonic explorations, and provocative lyrics. There are so many creative layers to the Talking Heads that they easily overload the grid. Thanks to David and the rest of the Talking Heads for your innovation! A portion of the proceeds from this print will support the ACLU and their mission to protect voting rights and other crucial rights.

–Shepard