Shepard Fairey's People Power Mosaic Becomes Albuquerque’s Newest Landmark

Albuquerque celebrated a major addition to its Public Art Program’s collection today with the dedication of People Power Mosaic, a new large-scale mural at the historic Rail Yards by internationally acclaimed artist Shepard Fairey. Covering nearly 3,400 square feet, the mural pays tribute to the laborers and leaders who helped build the city. The completion comes at a pivotal time for one of Albuquerque's most recognizable spaces as it’s repurposed into the future home of CNM's Film School.

The Rail Yards welcomes People Power Mosaic at the intersection of art, community, and history inside the Tender Repair Building. The mural embodies many of Fairey's signature themes including social consciousness, empowerment, and the transformative potential of art.

"To have this incredible piece by one of the nation’s most iconic street artists on one of its most iconic streets is really something,” said Mayor Tim Keller. “It helps us hold on to our stories while imagining what comes next."

Albuquerque has long been recognized as a city where art is woven into everyday life, from neighborhood murals and public sculptures to Indigenous, Hispanic, Latino, Chicano, and contemporary artistic traditions. This collaborative project continues that legacy by bringing together local context and international artistic vision, reinforcing the City's belief that public art should both reflect community identity and invite new conversations.

Throughout the project, the City and Fairey discussed the cultural significance of New Mexico and the importance of approaching regional imagery with care and respect. Those discussions reflected a shared commitment to honoring the many communities whose histories continue to shape Albuquerque and exemplify the collaborative spirit that defines this commission.

"Working on this mural was an honor and presented me with the opportunity to learn a lot about the people, culture, and history of the Barelas Rail Yards and Albuquerque itself," said Fairey. "I digested as much as I could from diverse members of the community and merged those themes with themes I regularly emphasize in my work. The contribution that blue-collar workers, often from marginalized backgrounds, make to our cities is an important focus of the mural, as is the energy and beauty of the landscape and the creative traditions of New Mexico."

Fairey is a contemporary street artist, graphic designer, activist, and founder of OBEY Clothing and creative agency Studio Number One. In 1989, while at the Rhode Island School of Design studying for his Bachelor of Fine Arts in illustration, Fairey created the “Andre the Giant has a Posse” sticker, which later evolved into the OBEY GIANT art campaign.

Fairey is internationally recognized for his bold, socially conscious artwork, including his iconic 2008 HOPE portrait of then-presidential candidate Barack Obama, which became a defining image of the campaign. His We the People series, created in 2017, continued his exploration of art as a tool for civic engagement and dialogue. Through his murals, graphic design, and public art practice, Fairey has become one of the most influential contemporary artists working today, using public spaces to inspire conversation, connection, and action.