Poster with motifs by Shepard Fairey, taken from the exhibition Photo Synthesis on display at Fotografiska summer 2024. 

Shepard Fairey created this image of an Arab woman three years after the start of the second Gulf War. The work is a response to the extreme anti-Islamic rhetoric of the time. With this work, Fairey confronts the notion of collective guilt directed at all Arabs. Fairey portrays her as a characteristically strong woman, looking directly at the viewer, confident but not threatening. Her face is appealing and relatable, evoking a humanizing effect on a group of people often portrayed as menacing. 

The artist's intention is to stimulate humanity and compassion and challenge preconceived notions about Muslims, who are otherwise perceived as the enemy. The floral motif of Turkish origin is intended to subconsciously evoke a unified appreciation of beauty and act as a bridge between the West and the Middle East, a familiar form that brings us all together. 

Size: 50x70 cm