NYAB Event - "A Foot in the Grave" Exhibition

"A Foot in the Grave" Exhibition

Icosahedron Gallery

This event has ended.

Renowned artist Shepard Fairey guided more than 100 young New Yorkers in creating a powerful 40-foot long mural that will make its public debut in an exhibit presented by Arts World Financial Center next month. The murals expressing the youths’ perspectives on teen violence, the environment, education and other issues relating to social justice. The mural will be displayed in a series of 8 x 11 foot panels throughout the gallery.
Under the guidance of Fairey, the youths created the mural last spring as part of a program sponsored by the CityKids Foundation, a non-profit that brings together hundreds of kids and teens from a variety of local communities. Committed to the belief that the collective power of young people can change the world, the CityKids Foundation challenges members to express their views and promote social transformation through performances, workshops and mass media productions.
Participants were encouraged to build on Fairey’s own street art aesthetic using some of Fairey’s iconic images. Fairey, who began his career as a graffiti artist, first gained notoriety for a viral sticker campaign entitled “Andre the Giant Has a Posse.” He is now one of the most celebrated graphic designers and illustrators in the world. His work has been featured in collections at The Smithsonian, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, the Museum of Modern Art in New York and the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.
“Art is one of the most powerful ways for young people to make their voices heard on issues affecting their lives,” said Fairey. “Working with such talented youths has been an honor and a revelation, and I’m proud to be part of a project that shines a much-deserved spotlight on these creative, outspoken and insightful kids.”
“With its themes of tolerance and social justice, this exhibit brings a fresh perspective to the city’s cultural and political discourse,” said Debra Simon, Artistic Director of Arts World Financial Center. “The mural is also a graphically arresting piece of art in its own right, and it’s exciting to introduce the work of these young artists and their mentor to a wider audience.”