Subliminal Projects is pleased to present PUNK LIVES, a group exhibition celebrating the intersection of punk and art, curated in collaboration with Destroy Art, a Bay Area DIY punk art organization dedicated to supporting and promoting visual artists from the punk rock community. The multi-format exhibition will feature artistic pioneers of the original 1977 punk scene, a small selection of new works by gallery owner Shepard Fairey, a group of contemporary punk-inspired artists, and a public participatory flyer project that invites our community to submit a digital punk-inspired illustration that will be plastered along the gallery hallway, paying homage to traditional punk venues and the foundation of punk art.
“I was drawn to punk rock as a teen because of the rebellion and creative independence, specifically the do-it-yourself spirit of the movement and its social commentary," Subliminal founder Shepard Fairey said of the exhibition. "Punk inspired me to make things, and the resulting self-empowerment has served as a blueprint for my entire career. When I made my first sticker, which became the Obey campaign, it felt natural to use the streets, where punk flyers had already provided examples of disruption, rebellion, and alternative scene building. The punk attitude and ethos of independence still inspire me today.”
In response to the relentless economic climate of the late 1970s, punk subculture was born from a DIY anti-establishment ethos, expressed through music, fashion, literature, film, and visual art. Despite its raw, imperfect, and sometimes irreverent nature, punk has established permanence in mainstream culture, not just as an aesthetic but as a lifestyle of continuous innovation, rebellion, and a commitment to carving out one’s own path in a conformist society. As punk rock approaches its 50th anniversary, PUNK LIVES showcases the rich history, vibrant present, and the exciting future of punk art.
In conjunction with the opening of PUNK LIVES, Shepard Fairey will release a new limited-edition print, in collaboration with renowned punk photographer Edward Colver. The print will be available in-store at Subliminal Projects this Saturday, July 13th 7-10PM during the reception.
CONTRIBUTING PIONEERING ARTISTS
Gee Vaucher, James Stark, Jello Biafra, Jesse Michaels, John Holmstrom, John Yates, Ric Clayton, Shawn Kerri, Winston Smith, and more!
CONTRIBUTING CONTEMPORARY ARTISTS
Abe Garcia, Brian Butler, Chloe Perkis, Death/Traitors, Edward Cushenberry, Girl Mobb, Gregg Deal, Heather Kelly, Marissa Paternoster, and Somer Stampley.