'Obey' Street Artist Churns Out 'Hope' for Obama

[The Straight Story]

If you've been to any major U.S. city recently, you may have spotted a two-tone print of presidential candidate Barack Obama emblazoned with the word "Hope" on a bumper sticker, lamp post or building.

Shepard Fairey, the 38-year-old street artist known for a guerrilla art campaign that coupled the ominous slogan "Obey" with the face of pro wrestler Andre the Giant, is behind the Obama design that has become synonymous with the Democratic nominee.

"I'm thrilled that my image has become an unofficial image for the campaign," said Fairey (pictured) on the eve of his new solo exhibition in San Francisco. "It's awesome."

Although Fairey's name has been known in underground art circles for decades, and his work has been commissioned by everyone from hip-hop group The Black-Eyed Peas to Showtime and Pepsi, it is his ubiquitous image of the presidential hopeful that has catapulted him into mainstream consciousness.

Fairey, along with artists like billboard hacker Ron English and British graffiti artist Banksy, has helped elevate street art, changing public perception of such works. Instead of vandalism, street art increasingly is viewed as a radical art movement worth preserving.

http://blog.wired.com/underwire/2008/09/poster-boy-shep.html

[The Straight Story]

1. Kick for the day crew (nt)

[Phoebe Loosinhouse]

2. I love his stuff! I found him just through perusing prints on Ebay. nt.