the arts	« the bookshelf
Updated: October 5, 2009, 1:58 pm	Share    Print    Email

'Art For Obama' Designing Manifest Hope And The Campaign For Change has recently been released by Abrams Books. Images courtesy of Evolutionary Media Group

Southampton - Few events in recent memory have captivated the world's attention like that of Barack Obama's historic presidential campaign. Not only did it stir passionate political momentum, but it also inspired an array of creative arts from a world of artists, illustrators, and graphic designers. Shepard Fairey's iconic "HOPE" portrait became the face of the campaign, prompting a personal thank-you note from the president, which is included in "Art for Obama" (Abrams Image; October 2009; $22.50). In conjunction with the themes of hope and change, all of the authors' profits from this book will be donated to Americans for the Arts www.americansforthearts.org/charity.

Innovative portraits and graphic designs from artists around the country became a powerful symbol of the country's desire for change, and engaging artists - from the grassroots level to the international level - became a central strategy to inspire passion and win the presidential race. In "Art for Obama," Fairey showcases 150 of those powerful images from the campaign, including works created by well-known artists such as, Ron English, David Choe, Kwaku Alston, Maya Hayuk, Justin Hampton, and Shel Starkman.

"Tension" by artist Michael Murphy.

The Manifest Hope art shows, which took place in Denver during the Democratic National Convention and Washington, DC preceding the inauguration, featured artists who used their talents to motivate the grassroots movement that carried Barack Obama to victory. The shows were put on by Evolutionary Media Group, Obey Giant, MoveOn.org Political Action, SEIU, Studio Number One, and Upper Playground.

"Art for Obama" is comprised of collages, paintings, photo composites, prints, and computer generated pieces, showcasing the well-known images of the campaign as well as less famous, but equally creative pieces from around the globe. This is a volume for design and art aficionados, as well as supporters of the 44th president of the United States who want a keepsake as uncommon as his extraordinary campaign.

"Art for Obama: Designing Manifest Hope and the Campaign for Change" contains 150 full-color illustrations, and is 184 pages.

"Visualize Our Shared Responsibility" by artist Maya Hayuk.

More About Shepard Fairey
Shepard Fairey is the man behind "Obey Giant," the graphics that have changed the way people see art and the urban landscape. What started with an absurd sticker he created in 1989 while a student at the Rhode Island School of Design has since evolved into a worldwide street art campaign, as well as an acclaimed body of fine art. In 2003, Shepard founded Studio Number One, a creative design firm dedicated to applying his ethos at the intersection of art and enterprise. Shepard's art reached a new height of prominence in 2008, when his "HOPE" portrait of Barack Obama became the iconic image of the presidential campaign and helped inspire an unprecedented political movement. Shepard is currently the subject of a 20-year career survey at the ICA Boston. The show's next stop is the Andy Warhol Museum in Pittsburgh, PA and will continue to tour museums across the U.S. in 2010.

For more information, visit www.obeygiant.com.