DAMAGED, a solo exhibition by Shepard Fairey

In this unprecedented political climate, Shepard Fairey‘s message has changed from hope to purpose. He became widely known during the 2008 U.S. presidential election for his Barack Obama “HOPE” poster, and now returns with his solo show “DAMAGED”.

According to his words, “DAMAGED is an honest diagnosis, but diagnosis is the first step to recognizing and solving problems. Art can be part of the solution because it can inspire people to look at an issue they might otherwise ignore or reject.”

‘Engagement’ has always been a trademark of Shepard’s work throughout his career. Each one of his artworks evokes a message in opposition to popular indifference against the numerous socio-economical issues we are facing nowadays. Capitalism, Media and Advertising all end up being crushed then passed under the creative eye and the satirical vision of the artist to eventually come out in the form of a poster, a propaganda newspaper or a statue of a businessman with a cracked skull reading a brainless newspaper.

The exhibition also sheds light on another issue of the modern society: the Social Media. For what should be the most meaningful platform for important discussions ever created, discourse has fallen secondary to self-indulgence and celebrity.

This solo show brings together an impressive collection of more than 200 artworks by the artist including the portraits we all know and love. This time, the people he illustrates are representative of diverse Americans most affected by current policies and social issues, rather than recognizable personas of prominence.

DAMAGED will be on view in downtown Los Angeles until December 17, 2017. For those who won’t have the chance to make it to the Library Street Collective, discover immediately a selection of the artworks below!

©Photos: Huffington Post, Obey