Uplift Justice

Uplift Justice by artist Shepard Fairey is located in Center City Philadelphia. it is Fairey’s largest and most prominent mural in the city, and it is also the only existing mural he has personally painted in Philadelphia. Designed as a powerful call for justice, this mural is strategically positioned in a highly visible location near Love Park, ensuring it is accessible to everyone. It depicts a woman’s face of ambiguous race, looking upward thoughtfully, accompanied by symbols such as the scales of justice, the Liberty Bell, and Fairey’s distinctive design style. It expresses themes of hope, reflection, and shared ideals. There’s a clear balance between the message he wants to share and the collective people we imagine when talking about justice – true justice.

As the city prepares to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, Uplift Justice embodies themes of hope for the future, reflection on our past, and a collective pursuit of social justice that is truly inclusive for all.

The artist describes the mural on his website:
“With this new mural, “Uplift Justice,” I wanted to create something that connects the ideals of the past with the questions we face today. Nearly 250 years after the founding of this country, we have an opportunity to ask ourselves what the next 250 years should look like—a continuation of where we’re headed, or maybe a reset.

“I chose a woman as the central figure because I see women as natural peacemakers, builders of family and community—the qualities we need most right now. The patterns around her draw from the Philadelphia Museum of Art’s textile archives, paying homage to the city’s history while also reflecting a universal language of design found across cultures.

“My hope is that this mural invites people to reflect on justice, history, and the values that guide us today. Philadelphia has such a strong mural culture, and I’m honored to add to its tradition of putting art into public space.

“Thank you to Love Park in Philly, Jane Golden and Brian Campbell from Philly Mural Arts for facilitating this project, and to my crew of Dan Flores, Rob Zagula, and Jon Furlong for their help painting the mural. “