First it was Banksy now Shepard Fairey, Kenny Scharf, Ron English and Robbie Conal get their turn
The Simpsons are to feature a well known graffiti artists for the second time in two years on the program. In 2010 the Bristol born artist, Banksy was spotlighted in the opening credits. Now the series has brought in Shepard Fairey, Ron English, Kenny Scharf and Robbie Conal for a 4th March episode ( USA) titled “Exit Though the Kwik-E-Mart.” a reference to the Oscar nominated Banksy film, “Exit Through The Gift Shop”.Shepard Fairey, is best known as the person who designed the 2008 Barack Obama ‘Hope’ poster.
Fairey has praised the script on his website. He stated, “On March 4, 2012, I will guest star on the 23rd Season of the iconic television series, The Simpsons”. The story line of Episode 15 – “Exit Though The Kwik-E-Mart” sees Bart trying to get back at his dad, He goes undercover as a graffiti street artist and plasters Homer’s unflattering image all over Springfield. But one night, Bart and Milhouse get caught in the act by established street artists Shepard Fairey, Ron English, Kenny Scharf and Robbie Conal (guest voicing as themselves), and to Bart’s surprise, they invite him to exhibit his satirical artwork in his very own gallery show. Meanwhile, a hip, new health food superstore opens in Springfield that threatens to put Apu and the Kwik-E-Mart out of business.”
Fairey said; “Part of being on ‘The Simpsons,’ is you’re being honored as a reference point in culture,” Fairey says. “But you also can’t be too sensitive about that part of culture being made fun of…There’s irony that comes with something outsider becoming insider. He added;” they do a great job of examining that they were kind enough to indulge a couple of my dialogue suggestions designed to make the social commentary more pointed (even though I had to make fun of myself to do so).” It sounds like this could actually be interesting”.
Art themed episodes are no stranger to ‘The Simpsons’, in 1999 they featured a vocal cameo by Jasper Johns, who did his own voice-over. The show also paid tribute to the Watts Towers, created by the late Simon Rodia,one of the first Urban Artists. In the episode the family visits L.A. during Oscar season.