Obey unveils first Italian mural Tear Flame Peace in Milan

Shepard Fairey, known globally for his 2008 Hope poster for Barack Obama's campaign, has completed his first mural in Italy. Titled Tear Flame Peace, the large-scale work is located on the facade of a building at via Adolfo Consoli 26 in Milan's Gallaratese district. The mural measures 23 x 12 meters and depicts a woman wearing a hijab, with a tear drop containing a flame and a white dove, symbolizing peace and reconciliation. The work was created as part of the urban art project MANIFESTIVAL, promoted by Fondazione Arrigo e Pia Pini with support from Orticanoodles and Wit Design. Fairey described the dove as a lasting image of peace, and the tear as holding both sadness and hope, with the flame representing either inspiration or warning. The mural is a permanent gift to the city. Fairey's exhibition Obey – The Art of Shepard Fairey continues at Fabbrica del Vapore in Milan until October 27.