Shepard Fairey beaten up after spat over controversial Danish mural

[The Northerner]

Artist best known for the posters that helped elect Barack Obama is accused of peddling pro-government propaganda

When graffiti artist Shepard Fairey turned his talents to US politics, his reward was international acclaim and a letter of thanks from Barack Obama. When he employed a similar tactic in Denmark, however, the response proved altogether less edifying.

Last weekend, Fairey – creator of the famous "Hope" poster that came to encapsulate Obama's 2008 presidential campaign – was beaten up after the opening of his exhibition at a Copenhagen gallery.

Earlier this month he was involved with a controversial mural that has enraged leftwing anarchists throughout the city.

"I have a black eye and a bruised rib," Fairey told the Guardian.

Read more: http://www.guardian.co.uk/artanddesign/2011/aug/12/shepard-fairey-beaten-danish-mural?CMP=twt_fd

[Ian David]

1. Anarchists have always sucked, and will always continue to suck. n/t

[GoneOffShore]

2. Never been a big fan of them.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

3. What do the Anarchists have to do with the beating?

Do yo0 include Gandhi and Emma Goldman in "Anarchists have always sucked.."?

From the article:

Within a day of completion, the mural was vandalised by protesters, with graffiti sending messages of "no peace" and "go home, Yankee hipster". Fairey subsequently collaborated with former members of the 69 youth house to redecorate the lower half of the installation. His new version contains images of riot police and explosions, together with a new, more combative slogan: "Nothing forgotten, nothing forgiven".

Fairey explained that the original mural was organised by his Copenhagen gallery, V1, and was never intended as propaganda. "The media reported that it was commissioned by the city, which wasn't true," he told the Guardian.

"It looked to the people at 69 like I was cooperating with the authorities, making a propaganda piece to smooth over the wound." He added that he did not believe his attackers were affiliated to the 69 youth house

[Fleshdancer]

4. How in the world is it controversial??!?

Here it is:




I think it's beautiful.