Not one, not two. But 1,000 works. Since March 8, and until July 9, the Guimet Museum in Lyon is hosting the largest retrospective in the world on the work of American artist Shepard Fairey, better known under the pseudonym Obey. For those who are not familiar with this name, he is the author of Barack Obama’s 2008 campaign poster, but also of the silkscreen representing Marianne and the motto of France, hanging in the presidential office by Emmanuel Macron.
“In the world of street-art, Shepard Fairey comes in second place after Banksy in terms of notoriety, specifies Jérôme Catz, exhibition curator of “1,001 reasons to dis (OBEY)”. The difference is that he has phenomenal production. On average, he does a work every two weeks and always for causes he wants to support. »
A “challenge” between two biennales
But then what is the link between Lyon and this international artist? “A big challenge and a wonderful opportunity”, replies the curator, also creator of the Spacejunk art centers in France. When the city of Lyon was looking for an actor from Lyon to occupy the space of the Guimet museum between the two biennials, the specialist proposed his project. “The place imposes a large space, it was necessary to be able to fill it”, he agrees.
Thanks to Obey’s production rate, but also “years of work” by this cultural mediator, he managed to bring together “a lot of material”. “With more than 1,000 pieces, we use four rooms in this former natural history museum,” he points out. And that’s only half of the total capacity. »
“What is beautiful is the whole”
“I’m so happy to be back here,” exclaims Nathalie. This Lyonnaise remembers having visited the museum when she was “little” and wanted to see “what it had become”. “I took the opportunity and proposed to my 23-year-old daughter Elena, because I know she knows her images,” she continues. I couldn’t name the artist. Finally, what is beautiful is the whole. The unity between the work of street-art and this emblematic place. »
A feeling shared by Lucie, 34 years old. “I love the Guimet museum, it has a soul,” she says. This lover of street art did not hesitate when she heard about this “big exhibition” on Obey, an artist she admires. “A retrospective like this can be visited for the character, his work and his subject. Especially since there aren’t often this kind of offers in Lyon! »
So, following the timeline from 1989 to today, four rooms bring together an unprecedented collection of committed art by the American artist, from his first stickers to his prints on t-shirts to his most emblematic pieces. And other exclusives await visitors. “As the exhibition remains at the museum for four months, Shepard Fairey will produce eight new works, says the exhibition curator. As they are created, we will receive them and exhibit them. The first update will be on Fridaof which the 500 copies are already sold out. »