Famous American street artist Shepard Fairey makes a brand new beauty just for Sydney

She is Sydney’s newest beauty — a message of peace and harmony by Shepard Fairey, the American street artist made famous by his “Hope” poster of Barack Obama.

American artist Shepard Fairey pictured with his latest mural on the side of a building in George St, Sydney. Picture: Toby Zerna

She is Sydney’s newest beauty — a symbol of peace and harmony by Shepard Fairey, the American street artist made famous by his 2008 “Hope” poster of Barack Obama.

Measuring a huge 44 metres high by 28 metres wide, The Peace Waratah is the biggest ever mural Fairey has done anywhere in the world.

The dramatic image, to be completed in the next few days, covers the southern face of 309 George Street, opposite the nightclub Ivy.

It will be a permanent, impactful part of the city’s landscape.

Fairey is 47 and based in Los Angeles.

Shepard Fairey’s latest mural is on the side of a building in George St, Sydney. Picture: Toby Zerna

Arrested 18 times so far for his unsanctioned public art works, Fairey is now feted as a top street artist who is invited to make and exhibit his work in prestigious locations.

Asked yesterday if he planned to make any legally dubious artworks in Sydney, Fairey was noncommittal.

“I’ve learned that it’s better not to talk about that,” he said.

Fairey said The Peace Waratah deliberately incorporated the NSW floral emblem.

“First of all the waratah is really beautiful, but it’s also really hardy,” he said.

The flower was also reputed to ward off evil and help people through struggles.

The woman in the mural was “an amalgamation of a few different references that I looked for to find someone who looked meditative and contemplative and peaceful”.

The word OBEY in the mural had a multitude of possible interpretations, depending on the individual.

Shepard Fairey pictured with his latest mural on the side of a building in George St, Sydney. Picture: Toby Zerna

“The OBEY is really designed to encourage people to question whether they agree with every communication they’re confronted with,” Fairey said.

Fairey executed the mural with his team of three from LA.

“We are a well-oiled machine,” he said.

American street artist Shepard Fairey’s new mural on the side of a building in George St, Sydney. Picture: Toby Zerna

Destination NSW invited Fairey to put his stamp on Sydney. Fairey says working with the “dominant structure” can be just as rewarding as working with his spray cans under cover of dark.

“I’ve had the coolest indie music labels totally screw me over, and then the governments and corporations that were so cool and took care of me,” he said.

“So I don’t generalise any of it. I just try to navigate each situation as constructively as possible.”