Glendale Library, Arts & Culture and ReflectSpace Gallery present Peace is Radical, a solo exhibition by renowned street artist and activist, Shepard Fairey. The exhibition will be on view from Jan. 20 to April 14, at the ReflectSpace Gallery, inside Glendale Central Library.
Peace is Radical features 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 will display 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!”
“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 said in a press release.
Shepard Fairey has designed a limited-edition library card for Glendale Library, Arts & Culture that will be 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, which debuted during the 2017 Women’s Marches worldwide. Fairey has painted more than 135 public murals, becoming 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 will be on view from Jan. 20 through April 14. ReflectSpace and PassageWay Galleries are curated by Ara and Anahid Oshagan. Free parking with validation is available at the Marketplace parking structure located directly across from the Harvard entrance of Central Library.
Time: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday to Thursday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Friday, Saturday, 1 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sunday
Cost: Free
Details: ReflectSpace.org.
Venue: ReflectSpace Gallery, inside Glendale Central Library, 222 E. Harvard, Glendale