Shepard Fairey opens a new show in Dubai

For an artist as recognized for politically charged works as Shepard Fairey, conservative UAE may seem like an unlikely place for a new gallery.

And yet, the country’s most splendid city, Dubai, is precisely where the contemporary American artist, best known for the iconic Obama “Hope” poster, marks his first foray into the Middle East.

Fairey’s first show in the region, “Future Mosaic,” opens on March 15 at the Dubai Opera Gallery and features 150 works, both of more recent pieces and of iconic images and motifs from the greatest work of the artist.

On the occasion of the occasion, the artist has also painted a mural in D3, Dubai’s design district.

The mural, to which CNN received a first exclusive image, consists of two large facing walls. On one side are depicted camellia flowers and a dove, and on the opposite wall is an intricate motif of fingers that make a sign of peace and a fist that holds a brush with a flower coming out of it.

For someone who admits he has little knowledge of the city or region, Fairey had the opportunity to visit Dubai.

“As soon as I found out they had a gallery here, I said that’s where I want to do it. I’m not an authority on Arab culture or Islam, but I’m open-minded and I’m here to learn,” he said. say, in an interview at the gallery.

Wearing a face mask, he passes in front of visitors who attend a preview of the exhibition, praising his work while unaware that the artist is behind them.

“In the United States, there are so many misconceptions about Middle Eastern culture. And it’s obviously not monolithic: it’s much more Western here (in Dubai) than elsewhere. But I always want to feel like I’m learning. and I’m growing up and commenting on things from as much experience as possible. “

At first glance, collaboration may seem unlikely. Fairey is a street skater artist, who took over the subculture with his “Andre the Giant Has a Posse” sticker campaign in 1989. In 2008, he catapulted himself to international fame when his “Hope” poster of then-presidential candidate Barack Obama became the defining symbol of a clever election campaign. She is an activist and vocal critic of Donald Trump, and her murals and artwork are not known to shy away from comments about human rights abuses, climate change and female empowerment.

“I put pretty much everything into this show that I would put into any show,” he said, when asked if his works were censored for the exhibition. “I asked” what about my criticisms of the oil industry? “And they said it’s not the main revenue engine for the UAE. And I don’t do anything explicitly sexual.”

However, the first concept of a mural, which would be located in another part of the city, was rejected because it was too difficult to cross the line. The piece, “Lotus Angel,” shows a woman holding a flower.

“She’s a female figure and it’s not easy to get approval in a public space here,” she explained.

Therefore, a new site (district D3) and a new design (seen above) were chosen. It is next to many popular restaurants and offices.

This idea of ​​tolerance and cultural acceptance is important to Fairey.

“The fist is a symbol of strength and empowerment, the brush is for art and the flower is a positive thing that grows and blooms. It doesn’t matter if you speak English, Arabic, German, Chinese, you can understand these images,” he said. to say. added.

“Peace and harmony … are easy for anyone to understand and it’s hard to find flaws in these ideas. It says nothing about religion, gender or nationality, so these are ideas I can take anywhere.”

That’s why, when his Dubai show was announced and he remembers being “attacked” on social media, he wasn’t influenced.

“The United States is far from perfect when it comes to people’s rights. It won’t let me down hypocrisy. I’m going to export my philosophy wherever I go. This place won’t shape me, I’m going to share my ideas and I hope that they are well received and, if not, I will be myself “.

In addition, Fairey admits that self-censorship often comes into play when the message she tries to send with any work of art is raised.

“I try to make sure I don’t sideline people by chance before they’ve even had a chance to consider what I’m saying with my work.”

As for U.S. policy, it is “more hopeful” for a functioning democracy under the leadership of a new president, though he warns that there are persistent sentiments from the Trump administration that need to be addressed.

“What really worries me right now is the way a lot of very immoral and manipulative people have decided that flat lies and misinformation are a tactic that will help them and not give them any political responsibility.” dit.

“There are pustules on the surface of the skin: Trump has appeared, but the bacterium is still there.”

But Fairey adds that he has been “so far, so good with Biden.”

“I’m pretty impressed with the way Biden tries to keep up, but that doesn’t mean he gets those things.”

Now the artist considers himself a “citizen of the world” and an “artist of the people.” He wants to spend more time abroad, learning about other cultures and incorporating it into his work.

It seems convenient for a large piece depicting a woman in a hijab to be placed near the door of her exhibition.. Otherwise, the rest of the art has “universal” themes: characters from popular culture and emblems of peace.

But it’s not a symbolic piece to prove he “gets” Islam, he says, but an older piece that “makes sense” for his first program in the Middle East.

“In the US, there is so much Islamophobia, so people freak out when you even try to present a Muslim.

“Cultural preconceptions make it difficult for everyone to see with equal dignity. Whenever I can, I try to erode barriers. It’s a handshake from afar. I have an open mind and I’m here to learn.”