SHEPARD FAIREY: rebel with a causean artist-activist addressing social, political, environmental issues through art

Working Together We Can Achieve Our Goals

We need your help to realize the success of this exhibition, which will serve as an educational resource for middle, high school and college students. Join us as a partner in education, using art to inspire critical thinking and encourage social awareness and activism. Together we can create impactful experiential learning with art.

EXHIBITION DETAILS

Title Shepard Fairey: rebel with a causeOpens September 21, 2017 (International Day of Peace)

Education Targets Middle, High school, College studentsPartner with educators of various disciplinesClass tours emphasize critical thinking and social activismArt making activities focus on social justice

To Book a Tour education@bng.bm; 295-9428

About the ExhibitionShepard Fairey: rebel with a cause opens at Bermuda National Gallery on September 21, the International Day of Peace.

Bermuda National Gallery’s current exhibition, entitled The Power of Art, explores contemporary issues, such as art and activism, and features one of Fairey’s works, “Peace and Justice”. This new solo exhibition features limited edition prints, including Fairey’s well-known images entitled “Hope” and “Progress” from President Obama’s 2008 campaign, and more recent “We the People” series in protest of the President Trump Campaign.

Bermuda National Gallery Shepard Fairey Exhibition BELCO as partner in education

Shepard Fairey is described as a “street artist” whose artwork advocates for the protection of human rights, from the abuse of political power and militarism to the support for minorities and gender equity. Emerging from the skateboard culture of 1980s America, Fairey uses abandoned buildings, empty spaces, and streets as his artistic canvas. Moving into the print medium, and accessing the global market through online sales or giveaways, he has raised his profile to social influence.

Fairey’s major works are filled with metaphors about peace, anti-war political propaganda, and visual contradictions between tenderness and harsh reality. He creates provocative tension in his work, using conflicting imagery with deep rooted messages. Some of his works were originally street art, posters, or album covers. Now they are in vogue in commercial galleries and have become part of the materialistic world they protest. Fairey remains, however, committed to his political agenda.

Fairey is an artist who has successfully merged social activism and artistic expression. This exhibition is an opportunity to continue the discussion about art and activism, presented in the current exhibition The Power of Art, and to make relevant links across disciplines, including: modern world history, propaganda as a tool, environmental protection, economic disparity, and popular culture and mythology.

Source: “The Art of Shepard Fairey: Questioning Everything”, by Hwa Young Caruso, Ed. D. Art Review Editor, International Journal of Multicultural Education, vol. 10, no. 2, 2008.

The Bigger Picture: Art Plays a Role in Social ChangeBermuda National Gallery is committed to the positive evolution of Bermuda’s diverse and complex society. To this end, BNG is a member of the following:

Inter-Agency Committee for Children and Families, a collective voice on child and family issues;

The Centre on Philanthropy; and Bermuda National Standards Committee.

We believe that by working together we can reach our shared goals. We support the efforts of organizations and programmes that are working toward social harmony.

Shepard Fairey’s artwork interrogates issues related to social justice and environmental protection. As a contemporary art museum, Bermuda National Gallery actively pursues exhibitions that address topical matters, engage a wide audience, and instigate conversation and creative expression. This exhibition furthers the available opportunity to bring people together and address social issues, while adding an enriching experience to the local curriculum.

To learn more about Shepard Fairey, please listen to him speak about his work at:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rcSBr4ZKmrQ

Bermuda National Gallery Shepard Fairey Exhibition BELCO as partner in education

Works in the Exhibition

Bermuda National Gallery Shepard Fairey Exhibition BELCO as partner in education

Bermuda National Gallery Shepard Fairey Exhibition BELCO as partner in education

Bermuda National Gallery Shepard Fairey Exhibition BELCO as partner in education

THE ARTWORK OF SHEPARD FAIREY CAN ENGAGE STUDENTS ACROSS VARIOUS SUBJECTS

SUGGESTED TEXTS & TOPICS & PEOPLE TO EXPLORE: Animal Farm , George Orwell 1984 , George Orwell Manufacturing Consent, Noam Chomsky Political Cartoons Graphic Novels Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum: How Posters Work:

https://collection.cooperhewitt.org/exhibitions/68744915/ Persuasive & Rhetorical Techniques Music: U2, Bob Marley, Pussy Riot, Bob Dylan, Nina Simone Artists: Ai Wei Wei, Edward Burtansky, BANKSY, Kara Walker, Titus Kaphar, Keith Haring Theatre: Rent, Richard III Films: Before the Flood, Trashed Organizations: Amnesty International, Human Rights Commission, United Nations https://obeygiant.com/images/2015/12/EARTH-DAY-PRESENTATION-FINAL-.pdf

Bermuda National Gallery Shepard Fairey Exhibition BELCO as partner in education

Shepard Fairey: rebel with a causeCurriculum

Connections

ART & DESIGN

POLITICS

HISTORY

ENGLISH LITERATURE

SOCIAL SCIENCE

HUMAN RIGHTS

GREENSCIENCE

MEDIA STUDIES