Shepard Fairey (Obey) exhibition in Berlin
- Delphine & Romain Class
- 8 hours ago
- 6 min read
Shepard Fairey: Photo Synthesis – A Major Exhibition in Berlin
In Berlin, the Fotografiska Berlin museum is hosting Photo Synthesis until March 8, 2026, an exhibition dedicated to one of the most influential figures in contemporary street art: Shepard Fairey, best known by his moniker Obey. This retrospective offers a unique insight into the artist’s career, highlighting the crucial role of photography in his creative process and showcasing how his work has redefined urban art on a global scale.
An Ambitious Retrospective: Photo Synthesis in Berlin
The Photo Synthesis exhibition brings together over 200 works spanning Shepard Fairey’s extensive artistic journey. Curated by Thomas Schäfer, Associate Director of Exhibitions at Fotografiska Berlin, in collaboration with Johan Vikner, Global Director of Exhibitions, and the artist himself, the show traces the full evolution of Fairey’s practice — from his early posters and collages to digital works and new pieces created specifically for this exhibition.
The Uniqueness of Photo Synthesis
The particularity of Photo Synthesis lies in its exploration of the role of photography in Fairey’s work. While his style is often unmistakably graphic — inspired by the visual codes of propaganda, pop art, and skate culture — he has, from the very beginning, integrated reworked photographs, visual fragments, and images drawn from current events that feed his artistic reflection. The retrospective illustrates how these photographic elements have been synthesized with graphic design, painting, and collage, resulting in works that are both visually powerful and politically charged.
A fascinating aspect of the exhibition is the juxtaposition of historical pieces — such as the posters, stickers, and collages that made Fairey famous in the 1990s — with recent and previously unseen works created specifically for Photo Synthesis. This dialogue between past and present highlights the continuity of his political and social commitment, as well as the evolution of his visual language.
A similar exhibition was held in Stockholm in 2024, from June to October, also organized by the Fotografiska museum. More than 200 of the artist’s works were displayed, and approximately 200,000 visitors attended, making it one of the museum’s most visited exhibitions of 2024.
Biography of Shepard Fairey
Shepard Fairey, born on February 15, 1970, in Charleston, South Carolina, is an internationally renowned American artist, graphic designer, and activist. Emerging from the skate and punk rock culture, he studied design at the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), where he earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Illustration. It was there, in 1989, that he created the sticker “Andre the Giant Has a Posse”, a minimalist image depicting the wrestler André the Giant. This motif became the foundation for his Obey Giant campaign — an experimental art project inspired by phenomenology, intended to make viewers question the nature of imagery, authority, and visual power.
The Obey campaign quickly spread across the world’s streets, first through stickers, then through posters and stencils. Shepard Fairey developed a distinctive visual style, characterized by bold colors (especially red, black, and beige), strong geometric forms, and imagery that oscillates between political propaganda, pop art, and powerful visual slogans.
The Turning Point of His Career
The major turning point in Shepard Fairey’s career came in 2008 with the creation of the iconic “Hope” poster, depicting Barack Obama during his presidential campaign. This image, which has since become a cultural icon, not only catapulted Fairey to global prominence but also transformed the visual language of modern political communication.
Over the years, Fairey has become a politically engaged artist, using his work to address themes such as social justice, civil rights, environmental protection, equality, and democracy. His pieces — found both in the streets and in museums — have profoundly influenced global visual culture and are part of major permanent collections, including those of the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) in New York, the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery in Washington, D.C., and the Victoria & Albert Museum in London.
Shepard Fairey’s Most Famous Murals
Among the hundreds of murals and urban interventions created by Shepard Fairey around the world, several stand out for their scale, visual impact, and symbolic resonance. Below are three of his most emblematic works:
“Nelson Mandela” – Johannesburg, South AfricaCreated in 2014 in Johannesburg, the Nelson Mandela mural is one of Fairey’s most striking public works. Spanning several stories on a building in the Braamfontein district, the monumental portrait pays tribute to the anti-apartheid leader and his fight for freedom. The composition — marked by strong contrasts and Fairey’s signature political-aesthetic style — celebrates Mandela’s universal legacy of resistance and hope.
“Make Art Not War” – Berlin, Kreuzberg (near Hallesches Tor / Mehringplatz)One of Fairey’s most iconic contributions to Berlin’s urban landscape, Make Art Not War fuses the distinctive Obey graphic aesthetic with a clear pacifist message. Located at the entrance of Hallesches Tor / Mehringplatz station in the vibrant Kreuzberg district, the mural features a stylized rose bound by a chain, accompanied by the slogan Make Art Not War. It serves as a powerful call for creativity and peace over violence and conflict, resonating deeply with the youthful, multicultural energy of the neighborhood.
“No Future” / Socially Engaged Mural – Berlin, Schöneberg (Frobenstraße / Schwerinstraße / Bülowstraße)
Shepard Fairey also created a major mural in the Schöneberg district as part of the Urban Nation One Wall Project. This work, often referred to as “No Future”, delivers a powerful message against apathy, ignorance, sexism, xenophobia, and racism. Featuring large bold text and an expressive portrait, the mural covers approximately 15 × 18 meters and stands as a visual call to awareness and social responsibility. It can be found at the corner of Frobenstraße and Schwerinstraße / Bülowstraße.
“The Beauty of Liberty and Equality” – Austin, Texas, USA
In Austin, Texas, Shepard Fairey painted a mural titled “The Beauty of Liberty and Equality” on the west wall of The Line Hotel. This artwork celebrates the 100th anniversary of the U.S. Constitutional amendment granting women the right to vote, blending portraiture and typography in Fairey’s signature style — featuring bold graphic forms, clear visual messages, and symbolic imagery. The mural was created in collaboration with Canadian artist Sandra Chevrier.
“Marianne” – Paris, France
In Paris’ 13th arrondissement, Shepard Fairey created the mural “Marianne”, depicting the symbolic figure of the French Republic. This monumental portrait, rendered in the national colors and accompanied by the motto Liberté, Égalité, Fraternité, was painted following the 2015 terrorist attacks as a gesture of solidarity and cultural resilience. The work exemplifies how Fairey uses symbolic figures to convey political and social values in public spaces.
Fotografiska Berlin: A Space Dedicated to Art and Visual Culture
Located on Oranienburger Straße in the heart of Berlin, Fotografiska Berlin is one of the city’s most dynamic centers for contemporary photography, art, and visual culture. Part of the international Fotografiska family — with museums in Stockholm, Tallinn, and Shanghai — it showcases exhibitions by renowned contemporary artists as well as emerging talents.
More than just an exhibition space, Fotografiska offers a lively program including lectures, screenings, talks, and cultural events. It is also known for its social infrastructure, including a café and restaurant, creating a full experience blending art, social interaction, and reflection. The museum attracts an international audience eager for visual discoveries and discussions on current societal issues.
The Photo Synthesis exhibition by Shepard Fairey aligns perfectly with this mission, engaging visual art with social, political, and cultural issues, and demonstrating how a visual language can shape our understanding of the world.
Conclusion: A Visual and Political Exploration
The Photo Synthesis exhibition at Fotografiska Berlin is more than a retrospective of iconic works; it is an immersion into the thinking and process of one of today’s most relevant artistic voices. By exploring how photography has informed Shepard Fairey’s practice, it offers visitors a unique perspective on how an artist can influence both visually and politically our relationship with imagery, public space, and civic engagement.
Through his monumental murals, culturally symbolic posters, and ongoing social engagement, Fairey has made street art a powerful medium for critical reflection, visual poetry, and civic action. Photo Synthesis provides an ideal opportunity to revisit this trajectory and celebrate an artist who has redefined the role of imagery in contemporary society.
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