Shepard Fairey Unveils ‘Third Eye Open Peace’ Mural in Naples, Italy
The Shepard Fairey Third Eye Open Peace mural has been unveiled in the streets of Naples, Italy. The work serves as a powerful public art companion piece to his upcoming solo exhibition, “Power To the Peaceful.”
A renewed vision within the Shepard Fairey Third Eye Open Peace mural
The mural features a striking portrait originally created by Shepard Fairey for his ‘Make Art Not War‘ print, first produced during the height of the Iraq War, a period that galvanised Shepard Fairey’s lifelong commitment to art as a vehicle for political and humanitarian expression. The image has been re contextualised for this new public setting, enriched with a luminous third eye blooming like a flower, an iconic peace sign, and the word PACE, Italian for “peace”, woven throughout the composition.
“I’ve often used the phrase ‘eyes open – mind open.’ ‘Third eye open’ is a similar but slightly weightier idea, because it addresses looking not only outward to observe, but inward as well. If we can connect with our own humanity, we can have empathy for others.” Shepard Fairey
Inner awareness and symbolism in the Third Eye Open Peace mural
Central to the mural’s symbolism is the concept of the third eye as a portal to higher consciousness. For Shepard Fairey, the image represents a call to inner dialogue, an invitation to look beyond surface appearances and engage with one’s deeper sense of self, purpose, and universal connection. The artist describes the third eye as essential to achieving true peace and harmony: not merely a political aspiration, but a deeply personal and spiritual one.
“Third Eye Open Peace” continues Shepard Fairey’s decades-long practice of bringing urgent political and philosophical dialogue into public spaces worldwide. By situating the mural in Naples, a city with a rich tradition of street art and civic culture, Shepard Fairey extends an open invitation to local communities and international visitors to engage with questions of peace, identity, and collective responsibility.
Shepard Fairey, Third Eye Open Peace. Naples, Italy. Image copyright Jonathan Furlong.
The Shepard Fairey Third Eye Open Peace mural was realised with support from Poltrona Frau, La Reggia Designer Outlet, and Montana Cans. Cultural partners Cultura Napoli, Wunderkammern Gallery, and Inward Creativa Urbana played a key role in facilitating the project, alongside Fairey’s production team including Dan Flores, Rob Zagula, and Jonathan Furlong.
Shepard Fairey, Third Eye Open Peace. Naples, Italy. Image copyright Jonathan Furlong.