Obey (Shepard Fairey), Love Unites, silkscreen print, 90x61 cm, 2008

Love Unites, literally love unites, is a silkscreen print by the American artist and street artist Shepard Fairey, also known as Obey.

On a light yellow background an arm raised upwards with a clenched fist is boldly depicted in burgundy and beige, a symbol of the struggle for rights. Obey made this subject in support of the protests in 2008 against the passing of Proposition 8 in California, a referendum banning same-sex marriage.

His message is clear and he affirms it forcefully with the slogans written on the silkscreen: "DEFEND EQUALITY", i.e. defend equality and "Love Unites", i.e. love unites. As is often the case, the artist becomes a spokesperson for social causes of public relevance, exposing himself with his art. It was only in 2013, after demonstrations and appeals, including federal appeals, that California finally approved gay marriage. The silkscreen print is from 2008, is signed in the bottom right-hand corner and is numbered in a limited edition of 450.