Shepard Fairey was sentenced today, not for the appropriation of unattributed images, rather, this sentencing was for Fairey's admitted to destroying and fabricating evidence, and then lying about it under oath.
The prosecution requested Shepard do some jail time, and it seems that most ordinary people would likely spend some time behind bars for such antics. The judge, however, gave Shepard the celebrity treatment, citing Fairey's history of charitable work, as well as letters of support from friends and family in handing out a sentence that will see Shepard do no jail time, providing he stays out of trouble. The judge sentenced Shepard to 2 years probation and 300 hours community service, adding that he thought "public disgrace" would probably be the artist's greatest consequence.
M&F likes Shepard as a person and we enjoy his art. But this guilty plea is some serious shit, and the type of behavior that led to it is not something to be proud of. Shepard is a pioneer in the street art movement who has largely tried to work within the system to accomplish his self-stated subversive agenda. It seems that this case is a reminder that if street art can be compared to a dog pissing on the street, well, you can invite a dog indoors, but a street dog never really follows all the rules to become house trained.
***Info and pic from the Huffington Post***
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