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Shepard Fairey: Peace is Radical

  • Writer: Ara Oshagan
    Ara Oshagan
  • Oct 23, 2023
  • 4 min read

Updated: Apr 15, 2024


January 20 - April 14, 2024

 
mural by Shepard Fairey

Glendale Library, Arts & Culture, and ReflectSpace Gallery were proud to present “Peace is Radical” a solo exhibition by renowned street artist and activist, Shepard Fairey.


"Peace is Radical" featured works addressing a range of topics, including creative empowerment, the importance of democracy, race and gender equality, environmental justice, and, of course, peace and harmony. Almost all of these art pieces utilize screen printing. This versatile graphic medium can be used to produce high-end art or multitudes of prints that can be disseminated liberally. Fairey uses screen printing in both ways and finds it to be an incredibly empowering and democratic medium. A section in the "Peace is Radical" exhibition displayed a series of the screens he has used to print his art.


“I titled this show 'Peace is Radical' because humanity seems to be in a perpetual state of conflict. Peace requires us to pursue harmony with thoughtful vigilance. I'm a pacifist. I believe in solutions to disagreements that avoid violence. We are an intelligent species capable of cooperation and solving problems without violence. When I look at humanity in general, most people want to live in peace. The majority of my art focuses on issues of justice, and an outcome of improved justice is a more equal, fair, and peaceful society. Through my art, I want to remind people of the equal humanity of all people, regardless of their race, religion, nation, or culture. There is no us versus them; there is only us.


The goal of the art in 'Peace is Radical' is to encourage us to see ourselves in others, and to strive for health and peace for humanity and the planet that sustains us!”

- Shepard


“At a time when the world is so deeply engaged in war—from Gaza, to Ukraine, to Armenia, to Ethiopia and many other places—having Shepard Fairey’s exhibit “Peace is Radical” at ReflectSpace is a monumental event. It brings a message of peace and hope and engenders critical conversations about social justice in the world and our communities. Shepard has always used his visibility and platform as an artist to bring important conversations into the public sphere and this fits perfectly into the ReflectSpace gallery mission,” Ara and Anahid Oshagan, Co-curators of Reflectspace Gallery. 



Shepard Fairey has designed a limited-edition library card for Glendale Library, Arts & Culture that is available at all Glendale Library branches through the run of the exhibit, while supplies last.


As a contemporary street artist, graphic designer, activist, and founder of OBEY Clothing and creative agency, Fairey gained notoriety with the creation of the “Andre the Giant has a Posse” sticker that later evolved into the OBEY GIANT art campaign. In 2008, his portrait of then-Democratic candidate Barack Obama became an internationally recognized emblem of hope. He is known for the “We the People” campaign debuted during the 2017 Women’s Marches worldwide. Fairey has painted more than 135 public murals, become one of the most sought-after and provocative artists globally, changing the way people converse about art and view the urban landscape.


“Peace is Radical” was on view from January 20 through April 14, 2024, at the ReflectSpace Gallery, inside Glendale Central Library located at 222 East Harvard, Glendale, CA. An opening reception was held on Saturday, January 20, 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM. ReflectSpace and PassageWay Galleries are curated by Ara and Anahid Oshagan.


About the Artist 

Shepard Fairey was born in Charleston, South Carolina. Fairey became passionate about art at an early age and went on to receive his Bachelor of Fine Arts in Illustration at the Rhode Island School of Design in Providence, Rhode Island. In 1989 he created the "Andre the Giant has a Posse" sticker that transformed into the OBEY GIANT art campaign, with imagery that has changed how people see art and the urban landscape.


Fairey's stickers, guerilla street art presence, and public murals are recognizable globally. His works are in the permanent collections of the Boston Institute of Contemporary Art, Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) in Los Angeles, the Museum of Fine Arts Boston, the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, the Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery, the Victoria and Albert Museum, and many others.  


Shepard Fairey has painted nearly 135 large-scale murals across six continents worldwide.  More information from his career can be found at obeygiant.com.


Pick up a free printed catalog at Glendale Central Library while supplies last. The exhibition catalog is also available to download as a pdf.



Exhibit-Related Articles:

Shepard Fairey ReflectSpace Exhibit Showcases ‘Peace is Radical’ by Kennedy Zak (Glendale News-Press, March 12, 2024)




Shepard Fairey Still Has Plenty to Say... by Stephanie Rafanelli (C Magazine, Spring 2024 issue)


Opening Night Video:


ReflectSpace Gallery

Glendale Central Library

222 East Harvard Street

Glendale, CA 91205

3 free hours of parking is available with validation at the Marketplace parking structure across the street from the Harvard Street entrance. Accessible parking is available on the east side of the building. View the Visit page for public transit information.

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Hours:

Mondays-Thursdays, 9am - 9pm

Fridays & Saturdays, 9am - 6pm

Sunday, 1pm - 6pm







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