The highlight of a recent trip to Berlin was Fotografiska Contemporary Museum of Photography, Art and Culture, and in particular the Photo Synthesis exhibition by Shephard Fairey, one of my favourite artists right now.
I’m drawn to any art that contains bold social commentary. Beginning in the street – and often still there – Fairey’s campaigns such as Hope and Obey Giant are not only engaging visual works, I think they also give me the reassurance that I need in these troubling times – that I’m not alone, that there are other people who think like me, and that there is no need to despair.
Fairey himself seems like a very accessible and down-to-earth human being. This is also part of the allure. Despite his increasing popularity, there seems to be no room for pretentions or aloofness that often accompanies contemporary art. Fairey invites us to join in, to be creative, to paint the streets, to express ourselves. His is a welcome voice and his works a bright light in dark times.
