Welcome to Wet Paint in the Wild, the freewheeling—and free!—spinoff of Artnet News Pro’s beloved Wet Paint gossip column, where we give art-world insiders a disposable camera to chronicle their lives on the circuit. To read the latest Wet Paint column, click here (members only).
The famed street artist Shepard Fairey is continuing to make his instantly recognizable mark around the world—currently with a show at Opera Gallery in Singapore. For the opening, I handed the artist behind the iconic Obama “Hope” poster and “Obey” giant a camera to take us through the opening events.
Here’s what he got up to…
Group dinner with my Obey Asia crew. At the table with our friends Black, Meng, and my wife Amanda.
My posse’s on Broadway! Well, here it’s actually at the Dragon Chamber on Circular Road. Nobody ordered the d#@k soup that was offered… but the nuts in several of the dishes were delicious.
My clothing line, Obey Clothing, did a pop-up at the ultra-hip Chamber store. I did a Q&A with Steve Ternosky from Obey and Chooee from Streething. It was a packed house and really fun to meet some very cool people.
The crowd at Chamber for the Q&A with Streething x Obey. If it’s not on the ‘gram, did it even happen?
Opening night for my show “The Future is Unwritten” at Opera Gallery. Me and my colleague Dan Flores are probably talking about logistics… or the Misfits.
Behind-the-scenes of my interview with Limited Edt founder Mandeep Chopra.
A father-daughter duo checking out my opening reception!
Preparing one of the grids for the opening night at Opera Gallery. When it comes to my art, I try to deliver.
I walked around Chinatown a lot while I was in Singapore. That’s where we stayed and where I painted my mural.
Big up, Rob! Rob’s one of my art assistants and critical to the success of the murals along with Dan Flores and Jon Furlong (not pictured).
A look at my mural “Mosaic of Peace and Harmony” on 8 Craig Road in Chinatown. This was probably the hardest mural that my team and I have painted for a few reasons: weather (heat), technical requirements, scaffolding, weather (rain), water-based spray paint, weather (humidity), etc. I’m very proud of myself and the crew for powering through!
The after-after party crew! Some of the team from Obey Asia and my colleague Victoria Yarnish.
One of the street altars set up for Ghost Month in Singapore. These are set up all over the city on the curbs and sidewalks from August 16 to September 14 with the belief that spirits come up from hell for food, entertainment, and fresh air. These offerings are taken very seriously and you must not disturb the altars.
After-party shots at Mandala Club! A fitting venue since mandalas frequently appear in my art.
I was really happy to run into my longtime friend Russell Simmons who was in Singapore for F1. Always great to see him!
Another shot from the opening night at Opera Gallery. I really appreciate all the support and meeting new people!
I had the pleasure of working with students from Raffles College of Higher Education. They used my art to inspire new representations of the work reimagined through their artistic lens and included installations and fashion pieces made from sustainable materials.
Last day in Singapore with the crew! Our friends Black and Meng were incredible on the trip.
Working hard on the mural.
Rob Zagula and Dan Flores from the team taking a much-needed break from the mural work.
We can converse non-verbally… this pic tells the dirty truth. Painting murals is very long manual labor but incredibly rewarding.
Dan, Rob, and I on our first day in Singapore getting a lay of the land from a very charming vantage point.