A group of pro-Palestinian protesters disrupted the unveiling of a mural by the U.S. Street Artist Shepard Fairey in east London, on Monday. The event, held in Shoreditch, was to promote a new climate-themed mural in the presence of the U.S. ambassador, Jane Hartley, when around 25 demonstrators arrived, wielding banners and Palestinian flags that questioned U.S. policy on Israel.
Hartley had been on her way to the event but was diverted because of the protest. She told BBC London the day was “sombre” due to the anniversary of 7 October, adding she believed in the right to protest and freedom of speech. “We want to get the hostages home; we feel for these families that have suffered such pain. We want a ceasefire and we want humanitarian aid going in to help the people – children, babies, families,” the ambassador told the BBC.
Undeterred by the setback, Hartley said she hoped the mural would continue to do what it was intended to do to unite people. “We organised the event because Shepard was completing the mural, and we wanted to announce it during Frieze Week. We felt it was a good example of what the art should be doing: involving communities and bringing them together,” she said.
The mural is titled “Rise Above Earth Justice” by Fairey, an artist and activist whose work came to prominance with his now iconic 2008 “Hope” poster featuring Barack Obama. He also created a poster for Kamala Harris’ campaign. This latest flower-adorned 50-foot-long mural employs symbolism for climate awareness. As Fairey describes it, the work is meant to inspire people to rise above environmental wrongs and demand a healthy planet:
Fairey said, “I believe our personal and collective actions will dramatically affect current and future generations for better or worse. As citizens of Earth, we must take care of it.”
The project by Migrate Art is meant to be a call to action regarding environmental issues and simultaneously allows for the support of marginalised and displaced communities. All the funds from the initiative will be given to global organisations working with such communities. The mural is influenced by workshops held in London earlier this year, attended by youngsters themselves, and reflects the inter-relationship between environmental justice and community.
Hartley was appointed U.S. ambassador to the U.K. by President Joe Biden in 2022. She invited Fairey to do the mural as a conversation starter about climate action. Her event was overshadowed by protest, but she is optimistic that the mural will continue to speak to Londoners and beyond: “We hoped this mural would unite communities,” she said, “and reinforce there is still much work to be done on behalf of environmental justice and social justice.”.
Shepard Fairey is a world-renowned street artist, graphic designer, and activist whose bold, provocative works combine art and politics. Born in 1970 in Charleston, South Carolina, Fairey became interested in art as a teenager. Later, he studied at the Rhode Island School of Design and started creating street art that would soon ripple across the globe.
He came onto the scene in the late 1980s with his Obey Giant campaign, a picture of André the Giant, a wrestler. The image was plastered worldwide on walls and billboards, symbolising rebellion and subversion. Known for strong, powerful, and often political messages, Fairey has continually spoken out through his work.
One of his most iconic pieces came from the 2008 U.S. presidential campaign—the Hope poster of Barack Obama. The image symbolised hope and change, catapulting Fairey into international fame. Fairey uses his platform outside of street art to advocate for social justice, environmental issues, and human rights.
Fairey Stated on his website, ” The crew and I just finished this “Rise Above Earth Justice” mural in the Shoreditch neighbourhood of London. I began putting street art up around Brick Lane in Shoreditch 25 years ago, so I’m very pleased to return to the area with my largest London mural. The “Rise Above Earth Justice” mural uses symbols, such as a flower blooming from the scales of justice, to convey that it is within our power to “rise above” the injustice of environmental irresponsibility and push for a healthier planet. I believe that our individual and collective actions will dramatically impact current and future generations, be it for the better or the worse. It is our responsibility as the citizens of Earth to protect it. Thank you to everyone who helped make this project happen, including U.S. Ambassador Jane Hartley, Simon Butler of Migrate Art, and Charlotte Pyatt. The camaraderie was very meaningful because we all believe in the power of art to initiate conversations and shift culture around crucial issues that impact the world. Thank you to my crew of Dan Flores, Rob Zagula, and Jon Furlong (who also shot the photos) for their hard work helping to paint the mural.”
-Shepard