Treading Water (2024)
1/6, Silkscreen on Wood Panel
24" X 18"
Iconic contemporary artist Shepard Fairey is set to transform New Orleans with a dual exhibition and public art project during Super Bowl weekend. In collaboration with Mortal Machine Gallery and Greater New Orleans Inc., this significant cultural event combines a major gallery exhibition with an ambitious public mural installation.
Opening Friday, February 7th, 2025, from 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM, "Warning Signs" will showcase Fairey's latest work at Mortal Machine Gallery in the French Quarter. The exhibition presents a powerful collection of the artist's signature pieces, including screenprints on wood, retired stencils, and works on paper that continue his decades-long artistic exploration of social justice and civic engagement.
Concurrent with the gallery show, Fairey will unveil a monumental new mural.This large-scale public artwork, made possible through funding from Greater New Orleans Inc. and facilitated by Mortal Machine Gallery and GNO Inc.'s Michael Hecht, joins Fairey's impressive portfolio of nearly 135 public murals spanning six continents.
"Art can be an alert or early warning signal in response to what's happening in the world," Fairey explains. "Much of my work asks people to look deeper than common narratives and keep their moral compasses tuned. If people are encouraged to keep their eyes open, a message, whether through visual or written mediums, can empower them to spot and combat injustice."
The opening reception is free and open to the public. Find the exhibition at Mortal Machine Gallery, 940 Royal Street, New Orleans, LA 70116.
About Shepard Fairey: From his groundbreaking "Andre the Giant has a Posse" sticker campaign while studying at RISD to creating the Obama "HOPE" portrait that redefined political art, Shepard Fairey has been pushing creative boundaries for over three decades. The founder of OBEY Clothing and Studio Number One, his work is held in the permanent collections of the Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery, Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), Museum of Contemporary Art Los Angeles, and the Victoria and Albert Museum, among others. His artistic journey has been chronicled in numerous publications including "OBEY: Supply and Demand" and the Hulu documentary "Obey Giant: The Art and Dissent of Shepard Fairey."
