In his first appearance in a Middle Eastern Arab country, contemporary American artist Shepard Fairey, known for his famous "Hope" mural of Obama, unveiled two murals in the Dubai Design District, a hub for major design and creative companies. Fairey's murals in the Dubai Design District are part of his visit program to the United Arab Emirates, where he will showcase a new art collection at "Opera Gallery" starting April 15, marking his first presence in the Middle East.
Shepard Fairey combines pop art, graffiti, and Marxist theory in his works, gaining fame for the "Hope" mural he created in 2008 to promote the election campaign of former President Barack Obama, the first African American candidate. This mural called for diversity and addressed ethnic competition among his opponents at the time, transforming it into an icon for those advocating for diversity and acceptance of others. Following Obama's victory, Fairey continued to promote diversity with a series of murals titled "We the People," depicting images that reflect the diversity of American society.
Fairey launched a call for peace in the Middle East through his murals, which were displayed in the Dubai Design District on April 11 and 12. The first mural, titled "Rise Above Peace Fingers," features a fist holding a paintbrush from which a flower grows, symbolizing that art can play a crucial role in the growth and flourishing of communities. The second mural, titled "Rise Above Dove," features the iconic peace dove as an artistic message of peace, coexistence, and acceptance of others.
Fairey is both a street artist and a presence in presidential palaces; his work can be found on the streets of the U.S. capital, in posters, murals, and art on skateboards, as well as in presidential residences and on the walls of the National Gallery of Art at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C. The exhibition at "Opera Gallery" in Dubai, set to open on April 15, will showcase new artworks created by Fairey on canvas, paper, wood, and metal, alongside a collection of photographs and famous designs from his archive.
