Considering it’s the 30th anniversary of the original Star Wars release, it’s only appropriate that there was an amazing art show that allowed some of the sharpest urban artists out there to re-imagine Darth Vader

Walking through The Vader Project exhibit at Celebration IV is like taking a stroll through a Darth Vader tribute done by the coolest lowbrow and urban artists on the planet. Frank Kozik, Paul Frank Sunich, Marc Ecko and Urban Medium among numerous others gave Darth Vader’s helmet a hipster makeover. As fans walk through the exhibit they can see the artist’s own unique style featured on each helmet. Whether it’s a Tiki-inspired design from Shag or a girlie 1940’s style pinup from Marc Ecko — it’s apparent each artist took time to pay special tribute to the headwear of the Sith.

I’m a big fan of a bunch of these guys, especially Frank Kozik. Stuff like this really does show what a cultural phenomenon Star Wars has been and will continue to be. Vader is such an iconic figure and is universally recognized as one of the best bad guys ever.

Check out a ton more pictures over on flickr too!