Shepard Fairey Promotes Peace and Love With Two Murals in Dubai

Renowned street artist Shepard Fairey has made his mark in Dubai's Design District with two new murals. Fairey created the murals, which face each other, in anticipation of his solo exhibition Future Mosaic, 2021 at Opera Gallery. The murals touch on universal themes of peace, justice, tolerance, and co-existence, which were also central to his exhibition.

Fairey and his team completed the artwork in just four days using stencils to help outline his graphic designs. The pieces, which are titled Rise Above Peace Fingers and Rise Above Dove, were executed with a reduced color palette to help make the designs pop. The result is aesthetically pleasing work that also sends an important message.

The American artist is not afraid to use his fame to touch on important themes. From climate change to voting rights to promoting diversity and hope, Fairey's imagery is always a reminder that we, as a society, can do better and make a change. By incorporating symbols like roses and doves, the artist sends a subtle—yet important—message.

The murals were organized by SAN Projects, which works between Dubai and London. Thanks to their photography, we're able to not only enjoy the finished work but see the effort that goes behind making these murals. The behind-the-scenes photographs show Fairey and his team laying down the colors that slowly build up to the finished murals. In expertly using stencils, Fairey and his team have created two pieces of public art that will provide enjoyment to the community for years to come.