Shepard Fairey is one of the most renowned and provocative street artists, with over 135 murals worldwide. He made his breakthrough during the 2008 U.S. presidential campaign with the portrait of Barack Obama and the explosive rise of the OBEY clothing brand. Now, his art arrives at Fotografiska, bringing together earlier iconic works and new pieces created specifically for this exhibition, blending into a captivating visual experience in the exhibition ‘Photo Synthesis’.
In Shepard Fairey’s solo exhibition, the artist’s captivating world unfolds, transcending the usual boundaries of street art to embody potent symbols of activism and societal reflection. A central theme of the exhibition is the role of photography throughout Fairey’s artistic journey — much of his work is deeply intertwined with photography and enhanced by various artistic techniques such as graphic design, illustration, painting, and masterful printmaking, including relief and screen printing. The result is a distinctive and powerful photography that is conveyed through diverse media, creating a unique and compelling synergy of art forms. Each piece opens a gateway to Fairey’s unwavering desire to challenge societal norms and highlights the artist’s technical skill and ability to create thematic cohesion regardless of the medium.
The exhibition features over 200 works created by the artist in his Los Angeles studio using various techniques. His pieces showcase familiar icons from pop culture that have inspired him and influenced his work, such as David Bowie, Andy Warhol, David Lynch, and many others. Fairey also poignantly addresses events and figures whose actions have changed the course of the world.
From grassroots to galleries
Shepard Fairey was born in 1970 in Charleston, South Carolina. From an early age, he developed a strong passion for art, and with the influence of the punk rock and skate scenes, Fairey grew into a fearless cultural provocateur who brings social and political issues to the streets through his art. In 1989, while at Rhode Island School of Design studying for his Bachelor of Fine Arts in Illustration, he created 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 also known for the “We The People” campaign debuted during the 2017 Women’s Marches worldwide.
He has become one of the most sought-after and provocative artists globally, changing the way people converse about art and view the urban landscape. Fairey’s work is politically charged and rich in symbolism, and his creations, often in collaboration with musicians, filmmakers, and activists, have embedded his art into the fabric of popular culture. In an increasingly fragmented world, Shepard Fairey’s art remains as relevant as ever, sparking vital conversations and driving meaningful change.
Shepard Fairey’s exhibition ‘Photo Synthesis’ opens publicly at Fotografiska Tallinn on November 1st and will remain on view until March 2025. The exhibition is curated by Fotografiska Exhibition Producers Thomas Schäfer and Mohamed Mire, Fotografiska’s Global Exhibitions Director Johan Vikner, and Fotografiska Tallinn’s Head of Exhibitions Maarja Loorents, together with the local exhibition team, in collaboration with the artist Shepard Fairey. It arrives in Tallinn from Fotografiska Stockholm.
