Shepard Fairey standing in front of a just-wheat-pasted mural on the side of the Rock Cat Cafe building in Philadelphia. The iconic black, white, and red poster imagery features his familiar imagery and a very large image of an Asian woman with a hat and a machine gun with a flower blooming out of the bun barrel, a al Bernie Boston

Love 2 Hate Shepard Fairey!

Shepard Fairey standing in front of a just-wheat-pasted mural on the side of the Rock Cat Cafe building in Philadelphia. The iconic black, white, and red poster imagery features his familiar imagery and a very large image of an Asian woman with a hat and a machine gun with a flower blooming out of the bun barrel, a al Bernie Boston

Shepard Fairey’s 2011 mural at Rock Cat Cafe, Philadelphia

Many of my friends, for one reason or another, love to dis Shepard Fairey. I think his work is amazing. Granted it’s pretty boring that he’s out. No secret identity. No hooded, bandana-faced interviews. I’d never date the guy. Why would I waste my time with someone I could actually introduce to my friends? No awkward “So, what does Shepard do?” questions. No pedantic “Ali, is he still unemployed?” Continue reading

Banksy's Girlfriend - Alexis Smith and Banksy - close-up of 2 people, Alexis smiles sweetly while Banksy gives the middle finger to the camera

The Crappy Job of Being Banksy’s Girlfriend

photo of my boyfriend Banksy / Charles Rosenthal on a boat and holding his hand in front of the camera lens

Banksy. The world’s most famous artist. The world’s most infamous artist. The world’s most important artist. The world’s most secret identity. For many people Banksy is all those things. But he is also, for at least the few minutes a day that he isn’t busy “being Banksy,” a human being. Does he eat lunch? Yes, he does. Does he piss and poop? Yes, he does. Does he brush his teeth? Yes, he does. Does he have a girlfriend? Yes, he does, and for better or for worse, that would be me.
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