A prominent American artist has made his mark on Hackney by painting a mural as part of a global campaign to raise awareness for HIV/AIDS.
Shepard Fairey finished the two-storey mural on Mare Street on Wednesday 2 October. His work includes the iconic “Hope” portrait created for Obama’s presidential campaign and a tribute to Nelson Mandela in Johannesburg, South Africa.
The Hackney mural is on the side of offices belonging to Shian Housing Association. It depicts a rose shackled at its base, encircled by the slogan “humanity is worth fighting for.”
It was painted in collaboration with (RED), a charity founded by Bono and Bobby Shriver, a nephew of former US President John F Kennedy. The charity raises money for HIV/AIDS programs in Africa by engaging the private sector in fundraising.
Fairey said: “In my artworks for (RED), I used symbols that I hope apply universally and appeal to the best side of people’s nature. I never want anyone to die prematurely or fail to receive the treatments that can help them.
“We all understand our own pain and can hopefully understand and empathise with pain in others, so the challenge is to not let pain diminish your compassion but use it as fuel to push for better solutions for all of humanity.”
The mural is one of more than 20 pieces of (RED) street art created as part of a global campaign to engage people and encourage political leaders to fund organisations acting to combat AIDS. Other murals have been painted in New York, Lyon and Jakarta.
A spokesperson from (RED) said that it is “thrilled” by Fairey’s contribution. “By creating this mural in London, he is helping bring real awareness to the AIDS issue.”
Leslie Laniyan MBE, managing director of Shian Housing Association, said that art can have a “transformative and positive effect” and that it “can bring communities together, start dialogue and help with integration”. Laniyan’s company was established to help house BME families and individuals.
The wall was prepared in advance of Fairey’s painting by Wood Street Walls, an organisation based in Walthamstow that facilitates the installation of public art.
Mark Clack, representing Wood Street Walls, said that “artwork related to causes and not just advertising campaigns can have a significant impact on building awareness for key social issues.
“We want to work with causes, campaigns and charities that can have a positive impact on people’s lives and day to day activity, not just push the latest product for a brand.”
Shepard Fairey’s art can also be seen on Brushfield Street, Shoreditch.
