Here's something truly impressive: The U.S. National Portrait Gallery, operated by The Smithsonian, has added Shepard Fairey’s “Hope” original to it’s permanent collection. "So what." Right? (Fuck you "So what.") Listen up.
For those of you who aren't familiar with ol' Shep's work. Allow me to bring you up to speed: In 1989, Shepard Fairey started a little campaign when he was a teenager called "André the Giant Has a Posse". He referred to it as "an experiment in phenomenology." and it consisted of a posterized version of Andre the Giant's face with the word "OBEY" in bold text printed underneath it. (Sound familiar?) The "OBEY" slogan was not only a parody of propaganda, but also a direct homage to the "OBEY" signs found in the 1988 cult classic film, They Live, starring Roddy Piper. Shepard has been illegally putting up this image, and variations of it, in wheatpaste posters, stencils, murals, stickers, etc. covering public spaces from abandoned building faces and street sign backs, to commercial spaces such as billboards and bus stop posters everywhere.(Arguably) He's put up this OBEY image more times than any other graffiti artist has ever put up anything of their own. (That's just what I heard. Relax Cope2)
Shep created a series of posters supporting Barack Obama's candidacy for President in 2008, including the iconic "HOPE" portrait. He created two other images, "Change" and "Vote", for use by the official Obama Campaign, since his original image, (The "Hope" one.) could not be affiliated with the presidential campaign since it had been "perpetuated illegally", ha! He also distributed a staggering 300,000 stickers and 500,000 posters of the image during the election campaign, and for all his hard work he received a lovely thank you letter from B-rock himself:
"I would like to thank you for using your talent in support of my campaign. The political messages involved in your work have encouraged Americans to believe they can change the status-quo. Your images have a profound effect on people, whether seen in a gallery or on a stop sign. I am privileged to be a part of your artwork and proud to have your support." - Barack Radmaster Obama, February 22, 2008
Typically, the U.S. National Portrait Gallery acquires official portraits of presidents as they are leaving office, and an official Obama portrait will be added later. But regardless, this is a huge inspiration for artists everywhere.
Not bad for a kid with a spraycan, huh?
-Eric Pause ¶ 3:58 PM
