Feminism finds a new breath today in the young generation, which wants to be the spokesperson of a new Feminist wave which engages differently than in the past, not through political struggles but through new societal issues like the fight for gender equality and against violence against women. Social networks play a major role in this fight today. Languages are loosening and hashtags like #METOO in the United States and #BALANCETONPORC in France are multiplying and spreading all over the planet.
STREET-ART is not left out on this subject. As a popular and committed art, it often takes up social issues on its own. 2 Artists well known across the Atlantic and every day more in France and in Europe, the Canadian SANDRA CHEVRIER and the American SHEPARD FAIREY, have decided to combine their talents to offer a common fresco entitled "BEAUTY OF LIBERTY AND EQUALITY", a title that recalls both the ever-engaged world of SHEPARD and the feminist series "THE CAGES" by SANDRA.
The works of the series "THE CAGES" by SANDRA CHEVRIER express a strong message of freedom and social equality. This series was born from the fusion of mastered hyper-realistic painting and collage. She uses comic book clippings to produce intense portraits of women in mixed media. This series tells the story of women trying to break free from the cages imposed by prejudices and distorted societal expectations about what a woman should or shouldn't be, false beauty and perfection. With vivid colors and graphic lines, the artist uses pictorial textures revealing the underlying tragedy of the oppressed female identity. Using comics as a mask for her portrayed heroines, SANDRA CHEVRIER highlights the superhero's fragility, weaknesses and flaws, and exposes their part of humanity.
The original MURAL which was created by SANDRA CHEVRIER X SHEPARD FAIREY last March is the largest MURAL in Austin, Texas and was created to honor the 100th anniversary of the ratification of the 19th Amendment in the United States. The year 2020 marks the 100th anniversary of the passage of the 19th Amendment, guaranteeing and protecting the constitutional right of women to vote. This historic centenary offers an unparalleled opportunity to commemorate a milestone in democracy and explore its relevance to equal rights issues today. The Women's Vote Centennial Initiative, a collaboration of women-centered institutions, organizations and academics in the United States, is ensuring that this anniversary and the 72-year struggle to achieve it are commemorated and celebrated in the United States. United. If you ever find yourself in Austin be sure to check out this painting, the largest mural in town at THE LINE HOTEL!
Click here to see the works of SANDRA CHEVRIER.
Click here to see SHEPARD FAIREY's works.
To me, one of the most Important thing about this project is that it was created by a man and a woman/ Shepard Fairey and myself. We women have been fighting for more than a century for equal rights, for our voices to be heard and for Freedom. Men can be our allies, they can support us, hold our hands high and fight by our side. Let’s be a team, let’s work together to make a change. With this mural; we celebrate the 100th anniversary of the passage of the 19th amendment which gave the women the right to vote (not all of them unfortunately but it was a start). Thanks to Shepard Fairey; a great Artist, a great Thinker and a great Communicator who’s been extremely generous and comforted me trough all the process of my largest mural to date. Was an honor to work and laugh with the team Nic Bowers, Rob Zagula, Dan Flores and photographer Jonathan Furlong .
We live in a time where there’s a lot of ugliness and darkness but let’s not forget about all the beauty and the light. We are the poison, we are the cure. Let’s celebrate Liberty and Equality… and this is why we decided to call this special piece; « The beauty of Liberty and Equality » that now stands as the largest mural in Austin, Texas on the 12 stories of The Line Hotel.
Sandra Chevrier and Shepard Fairey.
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