Last weekend, Shepard Fairey (featured) held his latest solo show “May Day” at the legendary Deitch Projects in New York City and effectively shut down a small part of SoHo with the crowds he drew at the opening night festivities. It seemed as though anyone and everyone who had an interest in art was in attendance. Celebrities, artists, gallerists, art affectionados, collectors and loyal fans of Obey Giant came from all over the world to attend the show. Fans traveled from Germany, Memphis, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Toronto, etc., to catch this perfect storm of Shepard Fairey’s first solo since Obama’s election and Jeffrey Deitch’s farewell show.

The record breaking attendance was the largest crowd ever for a Dietch opening. People were lined up hours before the opening to secure entry to the event. By the time the doors opened, the seemingly endless line wrapped deep into the adjacent Grand St. After seeing the mob of fans grow after the first hour, the gallery and Obey crew quickly ushered out the existing attendees to allow a fresh set of patient fans in to enjoy the beautiful show. After two more “gallery resets” and extended hours, it seemed that everyone who waited patiently gained entry. Props to Dietch and Shepard for the considerate planning to accommodate their loyal fans.

Of course, what Shepard Fairey event would be complete without a proper afterparty with DJ Diabetic on the wheels of steel. The Obey crew threw it down old school at a Dim Sum restaurant in Chinatown. A good time was had by all into the late night with Shep and crew.

All the photos after the jump…

The line started for most on Grand st... if they were lucky.

The line started for most on Grand St... if they were lucky.

Line was around the block...

Line was around the block...

Shepard with Kate Simon

Shepard with Kate Simon

Glen E. Friedman, Russell Simmons & Shepard

Glen E. Friedman, Russell Simmons & Shepard

Jeffrey Deitch, Shepard Fairey & Salman Rushdie

Jeffrey Deitch, Shepard Fairey & Salman Rushdie

Adrian Brody

Adrian Brody

Kaws

Kaws

Ron English

Ron English

Brian Glazer & Jeffrey Deitch

Brian Glazer & Jeffrey Deitch

Camille Rose Garcia& Merry Karnowsky

Camille Rose Garcia& Merry Karnowsky

Lola Gill

Lola Gill

Friend, Erik Foss, Jordan Isip

Friend, Erik Foss, Jordan Isip

Dante Ross & Phil Frost

Dante Ross & Phil Frost

Gary Baseman & Eric White

Gary Baseman & Eric White

Tyson Beckford

Tyson Beckford

Jonathan Levine & Shepard Fairey

Jonathan Levine & Shepard Fairey

Selim Varol

Selim Varol

AIKO & Friend

AIKO & Friend

Andrea Cashman

Andrea Cashman

Freddie digs AM... real smooth!

Freddie digs AM... real smooth!

Todd Mazer

Todd Mazer

Elbow Toe

Elbow Toe

Tracy Boni & Delphine (Ashes 57)

Tracy Boni & Delphine (Ashes 57)

Dan Flores, Friend, & Andres Guerrero

Dan Flores, Friend, & Andres Guerrero

Sonja & Nick

Sonja & Nick

Nick & Amanda

Nick & Amanda

Friends with you (Arturo  & Sam), Shepard, Jason Jaworski

Friends with you (Arturo & Sam), Shepard, Jason Jaworski

Adam Wallacavage, Lola, Kendall Johnson

Adam Wallacavage, Lola, Kendall Johnson

WK Interact killing the ladies.

WK Interact killing the ladies.

DJ Diabetic got sick with it...

DJ Diabetic got sick with it...

DJ ATRAK

DJ ATRAK

Photos by Joe Russo (AM-NY)
Discuss Shepard Fairey here. Discuss this show here.