Fairey Makes 'Pop Masquerading as Art'

(NEWSER) - Street artist Shephard Fairey plead guilty today to three counts of vandalism for displaying stickers and posters around Boston without permission, the Globe reports. He must pay a fine and is prohibited from carrying the tools of his trade—like wheat paste and brushes—in the county for 2 years. Fairey is most famous for his Obama “Hope” poster, though his trademark image is a stenciled likeness of wrestler Andre the Giant and the word “Obey.” More»

Pranksters in notoriously liberal city rename thoroughfare, if only temporarily

(NEWSER) - Partisan pranksters struck San Francisco overnight, covering four blocks of signs on the city’s Bush Street with “Obama Street” signs, NBC affiliate KNTV reports. The covers look professional, and chalk messages on the pavement encourage pedestrians to look up and notice the “change.” A rally is planned today at the street’s terminus, marked by a small, but official, “end” sign. It is unclear whether an investigation is under way. More»

LA graphic designer says image boosted power of art

(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.” More»

Now your grandmother can be a vandal

(NEWSER) - Graffiti’s latest trend stems from a grandmotherly tradition—and it’s more likely to prompt laughter than arrests, proponents say. Yarn bombers knit sweaters and cozies for public objects from lampposts to cars to mailboxes, the New York Times reports. Victims have included the iconic Wall Street bull and the statue of Rocky outside Philadelphia’s Museum of Art. “Street art and graffiti are usually so male dominated,” says one yarn bomber. “Yarn bombing is more feminine. It’s like graffiti with grandma sweaters.” More»

The prez isn't really living up to Shepard Fairey's expectations

(NEWSER) - How quickly things change. Shepard Fairey, creator of the iconic Barack Obama ‘Hope’ poster, is no longer feeling quite so smitten with the prez, the New York Post reports. “Washington is too intertwined with corporate America,” Fairey said at a recent show opening. “I had a lot of hope for Obama, but it's not panning out. He's not pushing hard enough.” More»