Shepard Fairey, The Future is Unwritten at Opera Gallery Singapore
15 September – 15 October 2023
July 2023, Singapore – Opera Gallery is proud to present Shepard Fairey’s first solo exhibition in Singapore. Titled The Future is Unwritten, this exhibition will include a new series featuring mixed- media paintings on canvas, unique works on paper, multi-panel modular pieces, limited edition prints on wood and metal, original illustrations, retired stencils, and circular works on panel and paper. The exhibition will culminate with a live mural painting executed by Fairey at a secret location outside of the gallery space.

With this extensive body of new work, Fairey employs his signature aesthetics and motifs combined with evolving techniques and visual strategies. The resulting imagery transcends overt social and political narratives to explore more symbolic concepts of harmony and interconnectedness within humanity and our broader environment. Using new and recurring motifs such as the circle as a symbol, Fairey references spiritual wholeness and unity.
“The future is unwritten. And we – all of us – will be the authors of that future.” Joe Strummer
Inspired by a quote by Joe Strummer from the English rock band The Clash, The Future Is Unwritten champions the belief that art can inspire action and shape a more positive future. At a time when the world faces numerous crises including climate change, war, nationalism, pervasive disinformation, and an erosion of democracy, Fairey’s new body of work amplifies the interwoven nature of many of the world’s dilemmas–existential and otherwise–while examining the space that divides seemingly disparate but at times eerily similar views.
“With the title ‘The Future Is Unwritten’ and the topics I’m tackling, I’m asking the audience to consider hope and action over nihilism.”said Fairey. “I create art as a personal meditation on complex global issues, distilling ideas down to compositions aiming to provide beauty and a message. My messages leave each viewer space for interpretation, but my goal remains to inspire a spark against apathy. I also find a lot of joy in creating beautiful patterns and symbols, and I’m excited to share my work with Singapore through Opera Gallery,” said Shepard Fairey.
About Shepard Fairey
A celebrated street artist, graphic designer, activist, illustrator, musician and founder of streetwear brand OBEY Clothing, Fairey’s ideas and visions were initially shaped by skateboarding culture but deeply rooted in social activism. His multi-hyphenate creative approach blurs the lines between traditional and commercial art through form and content, effectively communicating his brand of social critique via prints, murals, stickers and posters in public spaces. In 1989, Fairey created the André the Giant has a Posse sticker campaign, which became the foundation of his seminal ongoing OBEY series. In 2008, Fairey’s portrait of then-presidential candidate Barack Obama titled Hope was widely described as iconic and representative of Obama’s 2008 presidential campaign. His works are included in the collections of the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C., Victoria and Albert Museum in London, and LACMA.

OPERA GALLERY
Founded by Gilles Dyan in 1994 and internationally established with galleries and locations worldwide, Opera Gallery is one of the leading dealers in Modern and Contemporary European, American and Asian art, placing works in major private collections and leading public institutions. Opera Gallery has 16 galleries worldwide in New York, Miami, Bal Harbour, Aspen, London, Paris, Monaco, Geneva, Dubai, Beirut, Hong Kong, Singapore, Seoul, and Madrid. Opera Gallery New York, led by Deputy Director Laura Adams, presents high-caliber art through intricately curated exhibitions of works from Contemporary and Modern masters.
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