Radical Kinship. 18 x 24 inches. Screenprint on cream Speckletone paper. Signed by Shepard Fairey and Father Greg Boyle. Numbered edition of 400. $60 per print.
I made this art because I'm incredibly inspired by Father Greg Boyle who's spirit and dedication have helped to build an ecosystem that gives opportunities to people who frequently find doors closed elsewhere. Homeboy provides a second chance to people who never had a first chance. In this painting, I wanted to convey Father Greg's vision, as well as the love, trust, and camaraderie that exemplify the culture of Homeboy. The pride people feel at Homeboy is palpable and the art I created is meant to illustrate the power of support, healing, and redemption. When I showed the art to Father Greg, he seemed genuinely moved, but he seemed far more excited to call Cesar, the homeboy he is embracing in the image, into the room to share the art with him. Cesar's reaction to the art was enthusiastic… his eyes lit up, and he said: "wow, that looks like it was done by the guy who did the Obama poster." I raised my hand, said that I was the artist, and Cesar and I shook hands. I was flattered that it was a big deal to him that I had created the Obama Hope poster, but what I realized was how much closer to my heart and personal ideals the Homeboy art is for me than the Obama poster is. The Hope poster, though I'm very proud of it, is a political poster and politics are about compromise and popularity. To me, Homeboy and Father Greg are about uncompromising love, radical kinship, and belief in human potential no matter how stigmatized, politically controversial, or written-off that human being may be. Father Greg is a role model for my vision of the world and leader who courageously rises above politics. – Shepard
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