Thank Portrait for Obama's Success: Hope Artist

LA graphic designer says image boosted power of art

By Wesley Oliver, Newser Staff

Posted Jan 18, 2009 12:19 PM CST

(Newser) – The iconic Hope image of Barack Obama helped get the Illinois senator elected president, says the graphic designer who created the image. “It has exceeded my expectations almost from the get-go,” Shepard Fairey told Smithsonian magazine, adding that Obama’s “unique” look was an inspiration for him and the public. “That it’s not just another 65-year-old white guy helps.”

The Los Angeles-based artist wanted to “transcend the limitations of a photograph,” and Obama was impressed with the results. “Wow, I love this image,” he told Fairey. The artist initially made only 700 prints, but the images soon adorned buildings and cars nationwide. “Now there are some people looking at art as a valuable tool that never did in the past,” he said.

[Images (5)]

[Quotes (3)]

Los Angeles street artist Shepard Fairey poses for a picture with his Barack Obama Hope artwork in the Echo Park area of Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

Artist Shepard Fairey poses for a portrait in front of a mural he created that was inspired by Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., at the Manifest Hope Gallery in Denver. (AP Photo/Matt Sayles)

Los Angeles street artist Shepard Fairey signs his Barack Obama Hope artwork in the Echo Park area of Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)

Two people stand in front of a mural by artist Shepard Fairey of Democratic Presidential hoepful Sen. Barack Obama at the Manifest Hope Gallery in Denver. (AP Photo/Matt Sayles)

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Other than helping Obama be elected, the other most phenomenal result of this poster is that it’s really opened a lot of people’s eyes to the value of art. - Shepard Fairey, artist

I think the main thing is that people were moved by Obama. Let’s face it. Obama is younger, he’s handsome. He’s half white, half black; he’s unique-looking.
- Shepard Fairey, artist

Art has the ability to capture people’s imaginations and make them think that more is possible. My idea about the role of artists is to get people to look at things in a way that’s different than the way they normally would. - Shepard Fairey, artist

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Thank Portrait for Obama's Success: Hope Artist