Shepard Fairey's “Visual Disobedience” Solo Show Questions Propaganda
A 20-year retrospective.
Los Angeles-based artist and activist Shepard Fairey recently presented “Visual Disobedience” in Hong Kong; a large-scale solo exhibition exploring Fairey’s longstanding career in and out of the gallery. With a focus on power and responsibility, the show which took over two floors, featured the artist’s famed mascot Andre the Giant at its helm. Following Fairey’s vision and mantra “Question Everything,” each artwork strikes bold in retort, seeking to redefine the complex relationship between society and the environment. From early sticker campaigns, satirical tabloid designs, to homages of artists and politicians (most prominently Shepard’s design for Obama’s 2008 U.S. presidential election), the large body of work flits between deep philosophy and detailed graphic work, in all presenting a repertoire that epitomizes the spirited vision of propaganda. Believing that art should inspire dialogue, Shepard continues to practice his beliefs, wheat-pasting across the globe in ode to “immediate freedom of speech.” Stirring debate with each output, the exhibition is an amassment of his ever-expanding, controversial portfolio. Brought to fruition via the help of HOCA Foundation, “Visual Disobedience” is currently on show at The Pulse Hong Kong until November 27.
The Pulse
28 Beach Road, Repulse Bay
Hong Kong
