Queens University welcoming Shepard Fairey mural this week

CHARLOTTE — Acclaimed American contemporary artist Shepard Fairey will paint a social-justice themed mural on the campus of Queens University of Charlotte this Friday. The custom mural, titled “Embrace Justice,” will be painted on the Wellesley Avenue side of the Sarah Belk Gambrell Center for the Arts and Civic Engagement.

“We could not be more pleased that this magnificent and important work is coming to the right place at the right time,” said Queens University President Dan Lugo. “When the Gambrell Foundation made a lead gift to name our new fine arts center, they were thoughtful about naming the Sarah Belk Gambrell Center for the Arts and Civic Engagement, charging us to use creativity and the arts to get students out of their comfort zones and right into the challenges of the Charlotte community. This timely, accessible and enduring work conveys Queens’ commitment to convening sincere civic and cultural dialogue in our community and magnifies our motto ‘not to be served, but to serve.”

Fairey is a graphic artist and social activist who is part of the Street Art movement. He is well-known for his “Obey” sticker campaign and as the graphic artist behind the iconic 2008 poster of Barack Obama, labeled “HOPE.”

“I believe that art in public space encourages community dialogue and discourse, so I’m really looking forward to painting a mural at Queens University with a message of hope and respect,” Fairey said.

Fairey has family connections to Queens. His mother Charlotte and sister McRae are Queens alumni. As Fairey launched a project in Rock Hill, Charlotte connected Queens University Professor Mike Wirth and Arts at Queens to the Obey Giant team in Los Angeles.

“This mural is a call to action of the hard work we still have to do to unify our communities,” Wirth said. “I’m thankful that our students get to experience art and graphic design as activism in a center dedicated to creative civic engagement right here on their own campus.”

“These long-lasting ties to our alumni are at the heart of what makes Queens so special through the generations,” said Sara Henley, director of arts at Queens. “With this permanent artwork, the Fairey family is sharing a considerable artistic legacy for the enjoyment of our campus and surrounding community. The piece exemplifies the responsibility and privilege of living civic engagement through the arts each and every day.”

Work has begun to prep the wall for Fairey to begin painting midweek. The work will be completed prior to a “Conversation with Shepard Fairey” moderated by Queens University Professor and artist Mike Wirth, where Fairey will offer his take on the intersection of arts and civic engagement.

The event will be held in the Sandra Levine Theater at the Gambrell Center for the Arts and Civic Engagement. Doors open at 5 p.m and registration is required. All guests are required to provide proof of vaccination or proof of a valid negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours of the event date. Visitors are welcome to view Fairey’s new mural outside of the building before or after the event.

Click here to register.

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