A look at the present
At Gallerie d’Italia – Naples, from May 6 to September 6, 2026, OBEY: Power to the peaceful opens to the public, an exhibition dedicated to Shepard Fairey, internationally known as Obey, one of the most influential figures in the contemporary urban art scene. Curated by Giuseppe Pizzuto and held under the patronage of the Municipality of Naples, the exhibition is part of the museum’s program as a further reflection on the relationship between contemporary art and public space.
Peace as an active choice
The exhibition stems from the urgency to engage with one of the most crucial themes of our time: peace as an active choice and a shared responsibility. In a context marked by conflict, geopolitical tensions, and profound social transformations, Obey’s work acts as a critical tool capable of raising awareness and fostering new possibilities for dialogue.
A direct and iconic visual language
Through a direct, graphic, and immediate visual language, Shepard Fairey addresses the contradictions of the present: propaganda and counter-information, justice and inequality, denied rights and resistance. His works, strongly iconic, do not merely capture attention but invite viewers to question the mechanisms that govern contemporary society, from the construction of consensus to forms of collective participation.
The thematic sections of the exhibition
The exhibition unfolds around four main themes — People Power, Propaganda, War and Peace, Social Justice — which reflect the political, social, and cultural dimensions of the artist’s research. At its core emerge the role of communities as drivers of change, the power of images to influence perceptions and behaviors, the tension between conflict and the possibility of peace, and the need to reflect on inequalities.
With over 150 works, including iconic pieces, 15 new works and rare archival materials, the exhibition offers a broad overview of the evolution of Obey’s visual language. The works, created on a variety of supports — from paper to wood, from canvas to aluminum — build a layered narrative that weaves together visual, musical and political culture, inviting the public to take a conscious stance. The exhibition project is realized in collaboration with Wunderkammern, a gallery based in Rome and Milan, active in the international promotion of Street Art and Public Art.
A language that calls for action
With OBEY: Power to the peaceful, Shepard Fairey constructs a visual journey that goes beyond aesthetics, positioning itself as a device for reflection and engagement. His images, powerful and immediately recognizable, act as tools of critical activation, capable of challenging dominant narratives and encouraging conscious participation.
In this sense, Obey’s work does not merely represent the present but invites us to question it, opening spaces for reflection on individual and collective responsibilities, and on the possibilities for transformation within contemporary society.
A project spread across the city
The exhibition extends beyond the museum spaces through a dual urban initiative. Fondazione Napoli C’entro has promoted the creation of an artistic intervention on the monumental staircase of the Church of Donnaregina Nuova, part of the MuDD circuit (Museo Diocesano Diffuso), which is set to become the Casa dei Giovani, a new center dedicated to the creativity of younger generations.
At the same time, Shepard Fairey has created a large-scale mural at Via Carlo Miranda 15, in the Ponticelli district: a public artwork supported by the Municipality of Naples and organized by Wunderkammern Gallery, intertwining themes of peace, awareness and individual responsibility.
Practical Information
WHERE: Gallerie d’Italia – Naples | Via Toledo, 177, Naples
OPENING HOURS: Tuesday to Friday, 10 am – 7 pm; Saturday and Sunday, 10 am – 8 pm; closed on Monday; last entry one hour before closing
TICKETS: Full price €8, reduced €4, free admission for affiliated visitors, schools, under 26s, and Intesa Sanpaolo Group clients