In case you missed it, a public-space mural by Shepard Fairey now adorns the outdoor wall of our museum. In the gigantic work (14 x 14.8 m | 46 feet high and 48.5 feet wide) called Raise the Level, Shepard calls attention to improving the dire state of our planet and makes an appeal for us to work together to do so. With this gift to Amsterdam, he sends a message of hope: the great challenges facing the world call for harmony and connection. For this mural, Shepard collaborated with Amsterdam graffiti legend Niels 'Shoe' Meulman. Check out the awesome timelapse video of the mural painting here:
In addition to the mural, Shepard Fairey has created a work for the permanent STRAAT collection. From 13 August to 1 October 2023, the major solo exhibition Printed Matters: Raise the Level, featuring more than 130 artworks, is on display at the STRAAT Gallery. The Gallery exhibition can be attended with a regular STRAAT entry ticket.
“Raise the Level is my new mural in Amsterdam, inspired by a peace and harmony-themed fine art piece I created for my show at the STRAAT Museum. I added elements to the mural to reinforce the themes related to the need for harmony between humans and the planet. I also incorporated a collaborative section with my friend Niels ‘Shoe’ Meulman, an Amsterdam native and artist behind the Calligraffiti movement. This mural showcases my usual bold graphic style but adds painterly expressive flourishes, complementing Shoe's calligraphy. The aesthetic also references the organic layering of paint and posters on the streets, which is both beautiful and ephemeral.” / Shepard Fairey
Video by The Flying Dutchmen
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