The famed street artist and graphic designer Shepard Fairey has unveiled a 15-story mural for the Wide Open Walls Festival that features an image of Johnny Cash. Painted on the side of the Residence Inn by Marriott in downtown Sacramento, it is Fairey’s largest on display in California. The mural is the third installment of Fairey’s American Civics Series, a collaboration between the contemporary artist and the estate of legendary photographer Jim Marshall who passed away in 2010.
About the Mural
The image, interpreted from photographer Jim Marshall’s 1968 photo of Cash at his renowned performance at Folsom Prison, and commemorates the 50th anniversary of the release of the landmark live album, recorded during two shows Cash played there. The mural sets Cash’s gaze toward the state prison, and the vibrant red, orange and yellow hues makes it a striking new addition to the street-art in downtown Sacramento.
Fairey, who shares Cash’s passion for prison reform hopes it will help ignite conversation around mass incarceration reform. Not only did the artist recreate an outstanding stoic image of the music legend, the vibrant red, orange and yellow hues makes it a striking new addition to the street-art in downtown Sacramento.
About the American Civic Series
American Civics, which debuted in San Francisco in 2016, the series spotlights social issues, income equality, gun control, the rights of voters and workers, and, with Fairey’s new mural, prison reform.
Now in its third installment, the Fine Art Limited Edition series will consist of five serigraphs. Each title is limited to an edition of 100 prints, and each is hand signed and numbered by Shepard Fairey and stamped by Jim Marshall Photography LLC. A portion of proceeds made from the Johnny Cash print will go toward #Cut50, an organization dedicated to garnering bipartisan support for prison reform.
To inquire about or to purchase American Civics signed limited edition prints, please contact San Francisco Art Exchange [email protected] or call 415-441-8840.
Shepard Fairey: Website | Facebook | Instagram
American Civic Series: Website
Wide Open Walls: Website | Facebook | Instagram
