Counting Down to the Epic Shepard Fairey and Sandra Chevrier Collaboration
A world away from your typical Texas stereotypes, the capital wholly embraces its motto to “Keep Austin Weird.” The city is cool, quirky, and about to become even more captivating. Thanks to the Downtown Austin Alliance Foundation, the centre of the city is going to have two new landmarks.
From 4 to 11 March, the Writing on the Walls project is going to bring in the best local and international artists for a series of public art collaborations. The highlight of it all is a huge collaboration between Shepard Fairey and Sandra Chevrier. At The LINE Austin hotel on the corner of Congress Avenue and Cesar Chavez, this impressive duo will come together to make an iconic 12 storey mural.
More than just a pretty picture, the art of Writing on the Walls is aimed at underscoring the value of equality and collaboration. The work honours the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment, which gave American women the right to vote. In a nod to this pillar of equality, Shepard Fairey and Sandra Chevrier are working together to show how beautiful it can be for a man and woman to meet on common ground. Magical.
Sandra Chevrier
French Canadian pop urban artist Sandra Chevrier is best known for her fascinating female-focused series, The Cages. Meanwhile, you’ll recognise American, graphic designer, skateboarder and artist Shepard Fairey from his popular Obey brand.
I’ve got no idea what to expect of their combined style but I’m loving the concept. If you’re lucky enough to be in Austin on the 6th at 5pm, get your arse to the kick-off event. They’re doing a happy hour for the whole community where you can meet and chat with the artists. It’s a cool way to get up close and personal with the artists rather than admiring it all from afar.
Shepard Fairey works on his mural for Crush Walls 2018.
- Stephanie Wolf/CPR News
Shepard Fairey has actually done more than 100 major public murals so he knows the game well and we can make some guesses at what to expect from him. The whole team here was thrilled with Sandra Chevrier as a collaborative pick because she completely embodies the feminine spirit that is at the heart of all this. Austin-based Sadé Lawson is also working with the duo. Her focus on personal identity and its complexities are sure to bring a raw punch to the mural.
There’s been a lot of gossip about the Writing on the Walls collaboration over our virtual tea breaks at Design-Hungry (yes, we still dunk hobnobs together, even if we can’t see each other!) and we’ll have a close eyeball on the project. The event ends in mid-March and we’ll have plenty more to say about it then, stay tuned!
…and if like us you can’t wait, you can watch the magic happen live here.