STRAAT Museum Amsterdam Unveils Monumental Shepard Fairey Mural and Solo Exhibition
Amsterdam's STRAAT Museum, a leading institution for street art and graffiti, is currently showcasing a significant new public artwork by the internationally renowned American artist and activist Shepard Fairey. Titled ‘Raise the Level’, this impressive mural adorns the museum's exterior facade, measuring 14 by 14.8 meters. Alongside the mural, STRAAT Gallery hosts Fairey's extensive solo exhibition, "Printed Matters: Raise the Level," featuring over 130 artworks, on view from August 13 to October 1, 2023.
Shepard Fairey's 'Raise the Level' Mural: A Message of Hope for Amsterdam
Shepard Fairey's latest mural, 'Raise the Level,' serves as a powerful call to action, urging collective efforts to improve the critical state of our planet. Through this artwork, Fairey delivers a message of hope to Amsterdam, emphasizing that global challenges demand harmony and connection. The artist, widely recognized for his iconic 'HOPE' campaign poster for Barack Obama, collaborated with local Amsterdam graffiti legend Niels ‘Shoe’ Meulman on this project. Fairey also contributed an additional piece to STRAAT's permanent collection.
Reflecting on the mural, Fairey explained that ‘Raise the Level’ draws inspiration from his existing work on peace and harmony, with added elements to reinforce themes of human-planet harmony. He integrated a section featuring Niels ‘Shoe’ Meulman, an Amsterdam native celebrated for the Calligraffiti movement. The mural combines Fairey's signature bold graphic style with expressive painterly flourishes that complement Shoe's calligraphy, evoking the organic, layered aesthetic often seen in street art and posters. The museum considers this collaboration a celebration of global art forms, bringing together two distinct artistic legacies and affirming its commitment to supporting and showcasing the diversity of street art culture.
Printed Matters: Raise the Level Solo Exhibition
Inside the STRAAT Gallery, the "Printed Matters: Raise the Level" exhibition delves deeper into the themes introduced by the mural. A substantial portion of the more than 130 artworks focuses on improving the planet's precarious condition. The phrase "raise the level" explores various urgent issues, including the critical need to increase awareness about fossil fuel combustion and climate change, the rising sea levels due to global warming, and the immediate necessity for action to protect the Earth.
Beyond environmental concerns, Fairey's solo show at STRAAT addresses other contemporary challenges such as nationalism, xenophobia, war, fake news, and threats to democracy. He employs recognizable symbols, portraits, and text to engage viewers and spark conversations around these subjects. Fairey hopes his work inspires audiences to pay attention and take action, transforming apathy fueled by fear and powerlessness into a realization that art can be an exciting and joyful form of communication and activism, shaping culture in both bold and subtle ways.
About Shepard Fairey and STRAAT Museum
Shepard Fairey, born in Charleston, South Carolina in 1970, rose to prominence after creating the "Andre the Giant has a Posse" sticker campaign, which evolved into the influential OBEY GIANT art campaign. His work is exhibited in prestigious institutions worldwide, including the Smithsonian, MoMA in New York, and the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. His artistic style continues to reflect the profound influence of skateboarding and street art culture.
The STRAAT Museum itself is a monumental space for street art and graffiti, located in a vast former shipyard on Amsterdam's NDSM-Plein. It houses over 160 enormous artworks created on-site by international artists, with the collection regularly expanding. Visitors often have the unique opportunity to observe artists at work. The STRAAT Gallery, within the museum, presents focused narratives on the international street art and graffiti scene, with works available for purchase.
Experience Shepard Fairey's profound message and artistic vision during your visit to Amsterdam. Discover more cultural highlights and exhibitions across the city by exploring Musemap (musemap.art) or browsing the many museums in Amsterdam. You can also view what's on during your visit.
