Shepard Fairey Brings "DAMAGED" to Los Angeles Art Scene

Recently I've felt like quite the artsy lady. From Yayoi Kusama's Infinity Mirrors exhibit at The Broad, to visiting Shepard Fairey's "DAMAGED" exhibition in Downtown LA this last weekend, my life has been full of incredible art!

Thanks to TimeOut LA on Facebook - btw this is my go-to for finding out ALL things happening in Los Angeles - I heard about Shepard Fairey's "DAMAGED" exhibit in Downtown LA. After I saw a friend of mine visit and heard her positive feedback I knew I had to go.

Last Saturday we made the trek out to DTLA where we stumbled upon this open warehouse. Little did we know the wonder that was housed within those open walls.

As you enter the exhibition, you come across what appears to be Fairey's work station. As if it was plucked directly from his home studio, the entrance is lined with art, newspapers - "Damaged Times", unfinished and finished pieces on the wall as well as a descriptor of the "DAMAGED" exhibition.

For those of you who may be wondering, "who the heck is this Fairey guy?" you'll know his iconic art immediately. Most recognized for his Obama "Hope" poster, Fairey is a contemporary street artist, activist and founder of OBEY clothing.

From that initial walk in there is a room just off from the main one and then a large open area to the left, all filled with Fairey's works. Each piece I walked by I loved more than the last. The textures, the colors, the vintage newspaper/collage appeal pulled me in to every single work.

You could honestly walk the show, exit, come back in, and do it all over again and see something completely new in every single portrait.

With sizes ranging from small, framed works to entire wall murals, Shepard Fairey captures our "Damaged Times" by reflecting a number of characters, scenes, religions, races, genders, ages, etc.

As he says in the description for his exhibit, Fairey "hopes that the art and processes on display in 'DAMAGED' are a reminder that we are not powerless. We may be damaged but we still have the ability to use our voices, to evolve, and to rise above!"

While this was clearly a politically and socially charged display, how can you not be moved by that message!? No matter who you are, no matter what your beliefs, religion, age, gender, race, etc. I'm sure you've felt "damaged" so to speak at some point in your life.

But, just because we are damaged does NOT mean we are broken, nor will we be! It's important to be honest and vulnerable about any issues we may feel we are battling but that doesn't mean there isn't a resolve. Instead of complaining or talking about what's wrong, let's talk about what we're going to do to make it right!

Shepard Fairey's "DAMAGED" exhibit is without a doubt one of the best art installations I've seen in 2017. If you live in Los Angeles, go see it NOW, before it closes on December 17, I promise you won't regret it.

Details: Catch this exhibition on view through December 17, 2017 at 1650 Naud Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012. Call for viewing hours after reception at (313) 600-7443; http://www.lscgallery.com/; https://obeygiant.com/ 

(Originally published December 15, 2017)