UN APPEL INCONTOURNABLE POUR LA PAIX ET LA JUSTICE
Street artist Shepard Fairey (a.k.a. Obey) is probably best known for his distinctive socially minded, colour-block art from Barack Obama’s campaign poster, with one word, HOPE, emblazoned at the bottom, or from his iconic OBEY clothing line. In 2022, the artist created a larger-than-life mural titled ‘Paix et Justice’ (Peace and Justice) for the 10th edition of MURAL Festival.
The captivating piece calls attention to some of today’s most pressing issues—the war in Ukraine, mass shootings in the U.S, climate change, and racial and gender inequality. The woman in the mural, adorned with pro-justice imagery, makes direct eye contact with the observer, imploring them to “navigate the world with their conscience fully engaged." With this piece, featured in a prominent spot on Boulevard Saint-Laurent, implores viewers not to turn their eyes away from the issues that are right in front of us. Mission accomplished.