SOCAL ART SCENE—ONE CELEBRATORY, THE OTHER PUZZLING PART 1

MY LITTLE CORNER OF THE WORLD is in the art news. One is celebratory, an exhibit of the works of Shepard Fairey called “Peace is Radical.” The other is puzzling, a missing Warhol’s Mao reported in Voice of America. Tidbits about these are worthy of Parts 1 and 2 today and tomorrow. 

Fairey Exhibit. The Fairey exhibit was curated by Ara and Anahid Oshagan. It’s held in the Reflectivespace Gallery of the Glendale Central Library and will remain open through April 14, 2024. 

Daughter Suz visited recently and, wouldn’t you know, was encouraged by the surroundings to take up an offer to get a Glendale Library card.

Peace is Radical. Shepard writes in the exhibit catalog, “I titled this show ‘Peace is Radical’ because humanity seems to be in a perpetual state of conflict. Peace requires us to pursue harmony with thoughtful vigilance.”

The artist continues, “Through my art, I want to remind people of the equal humanity of all people, regardless of their race, religion, nation, or culture. There is no us versus them; there is only us.”

This and following images from the exhibition catalog. Photo credit: Stacey Meineke.

Here are several of my favorites, together with artist Fairey’s comments. 

RBG. “Ruth Bader Ginsburg,” says Fairey, “is a hero of mine because she was a low-key radical.” 

A Champion of Justice (Ruth Bader Ginsburg). 2021 Silkscreen and Mixed Media Collage 24 x 18 in. 

“I admire her ability,” Fairey says, “to work with people she disagreed with and attempt to win them over rather than react with anger.” 

Not anger? Talk about radical thought these days. 

Big Oil. Fairey describes, “ ‘Only the Finest Poison’ is a critique of the many methods the oil industries use to maintain business as usual, including deceptive marketing, bribing politicians, discrediting science, and concealing the truth.”

Only the Finest Poison. 2023 Silkscreen and Mixed Media Collage on Wood 24 x 18 in.  

“It is challenging to break through the formidable layers of deterrence put in place by the powerful corporations who put profits before people and the planet. But breaking through is essential to a healthy future.”

HOPE. “The Hope poster,” notes Fairey, “was an amazing moment because it was a piece of underground grassroots activism that went viral and because ubiquitous in the mainstream.”

Obama Hope. 2008, Offset Lithograph 36 x 24 in. 

Fairey continues, “I think that that piece holds its place in history but I’m more interested in how I can create imagery that functions in a similar way when the next need arises.”

I can imagine one giant need. 

And, quite independently of Fairey’s wonderful art, in Part 2 tomorrow there’s the puzzling matter of Where’s Mao? ds

© Dennis Simanaitis, SimanaitisSays.com, 2024