ONE SMALL SEED MAGAZINE Issue #27 Digital 02 | Page 9

Hennessy, one of the world’s most
revered cognac crafters founded
in 1765, invited the Face and Force
behind OBEY – Shepard Fairey –
to embark on a journey to merge
his powerful art with the brand. In
celebration of the Hennessy Very
Special Limited Edition, Shepard
was invited to join them on a tour
that would see them hit ten of the
world’s most influential cities. One
of these included Braamfontein in
Johannesburg, South Africa… And
this is where it got Very Special: one
small seed was invited to join in on
this part of the adventure.

Standing beneath the purple
and yellow mural of Mandela –
now beginning to take form – we
discovered an aesthetic that was
not only one of paint… The streets
are the new runway in Jozi… belly
laughter and Hells Angels offering
seats to the local cats drinking
Strawberry 
Daiquiris and talking in
vernac. Raw. Textured. Infectious.
This is the African Aesthetic. As faces
gazed up, Madiba’s painted eyes
shined brightly back on down. Amidst
the humbled expressions, we started
gearing up for up our talk with Fairey.
Watch our video interview with the
Face behind the Giant and read
on to discover more about Fairey’s
roots; his unique collaboration with
Hennessy; his Mandela mural in Jozi;
and the meaning The Purple Shall
Govern.