Thursday marked the completion of the Jersey City Wave by world-renowned artist Shepard Fairey. The Jersey City Wave is amongst many of the larger murals throughout Jersey City and Fairey, David Barry, and Mayor Steven Fulop gathered at the Grove Street Plaza to express their admiration of the city and the artist.

Mayor Fulop explained that “This is the most significant of the murals we’ve done. Public art is a significant part of Jersey City. The programs are done entirely with 0% of the taxpayer’s money.”

The Jersey City Mural Program touches every corner of Jersey City and has proven as a great way to help recognize the work of artists both locally and worldwide. The city now sports 57 murals and the numbers are quickly increasing. A splash of color can be seen from any direction channeling a true artistic renaissance in the city of Jersey City. Allowing artists to paint what they desire truly expands the public’s eye and make room for a conversation. The program began in 2013 and stated that it is—“A comprehensive mural project that will see dozens of murals displayed citywide as part of the administration’s focus on the city’s art community to beautify neighborhoods and promote cultural awareness.”

President of Ironstate Development, David Barry, assisted Fairey in the guidelines of the Jersey City Wave. Barry exuded great happiness in having been a part of the project. “I’m just proud to be a part of this piece of art. It represents freedom of expression— [the] freedom to express yourself.”

Artists have thoroughly been able to express themselves during the third season of the Jersey City Mural Program. Individually, each artist has created a work of art, but together the artists have created a time warp of powerful imagination that has jumpstart the minds of denizens everywhere.

Fairey explained that since his last time in Jersey City, “[The] change Jersey City has made in the last 15 years with the support for art and to have the city backing it is great,” he paused. “In creating this piece, I look at it as Jersey City riding a wave, a renaissance. I am all about doing public art as people can interpret it how they want to. The Jersey City Wave is meant to be a celebration of where Jersey City is now—you’re facing away from the Statue of Liberty and doing it on your own. You’re underdogs.”

Following a loud applause, Fairey opened the floor to his audience for questions and comments. When asked what he found to be the most intense about working on the project he responded—“Other than it being the biggest and largest mural I’ve ever done, I enjoyed a challenge. It was rewarding, we finished it an hour ago and drank a few beers before this press conference,” he laughed.

Fairey spoke intently and positively to a number of his guests, signing autographs and leaving a box of stickers before he departed. When asked what his definition of beauty was, “Beauty to me is something that is coming from a genuine place. It’s an act of love, inspiration, passion, and sometimes passion is angry, but I confront things with some anger because I want to protect the things I love. So beauty can come from that place too.”

Regardless of where the Jersey City Wave came from as well as the other murals part of the Jersey City Mural Program, beauty is spreading like wildfire.

To find out more about Shepard Fairey and his work you can check out his website, like him on Facebook, follow him on Instagram, Twitter, and Tumblr.