I haven’t been this inspired since visiting the museums of Paris last summer. Come to think of it, I might not have actually been back to a museum since last summer, but that’s beside the point.
Shepard Fairey was not the reason I went to the ICA this weekend. I went because my good friend Mark, who is a crazy artist like myself, was in town and he hadn’t seen the new ICA in Boston yet. I actually wasn’t looking forward to a bunch of red and blue portraits, and I had already grown tired of the imitators.
From the moment we entered the gallery, I was blown away by the pure craftsmanship of his work. His crisp authoritative style and satirical content made me want to laugh in awe. On closer examination, his work is beautifully balanced, and intricately detailed.
What made me even prouder, was that this was graphic design, in an art gallery. Sure, his work is full of political and social statements, but he communicates them beautifully. There’s not a lot of room for interpretation, his message is clear. As a good design should be.
If you have a chance to make it to the Shepard Fairey’s show at the ICA in Boston, I fully encourage you to do so. It’s an experience you won’t regret. What are your thoughts on Shepard Fairey and/or his work?