Obama's first artist? Supertouch interview Obey's Shepherd Fairey

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As the artist behind those iconic Barack Obama 'Hope' and 'Progress' posters - possibly the most successful political campaign graphics ever - for Shepherd Fairey 2008 was a boom year. Now, with his election choice confirmed as the next president (thank you America!), Supertouchart.com thought it was an apt opportunity to find out how Fairey captured a nation's imagination, and help Obama get elected..

Having provided the main image for the OBAMA campaign now recognized around the world, the influence of street & graphic artist SHEPARD FAIREY cannot be overstated. Having transcended the traditional boundaries of his chosen medium to create an image that united and inspired voters (and the presidential candidate himself) across lines of class, race, gender, and party, Fairey has achieved a truly monumental task in this election and inspired a generation of young people to become politically active in the process. A key element to the success of Obama’s visual campaign was Fairey’s mostly illegal dissemination tactics of wheatpasting posters on private and public property without permission, a sweet little twist in the side of the political machine that proved the artist’s steadfast adherence to his streetwise principals remained intact while working overground in such an unprecedented way. In doing so, he single-handedly inspired a nation of supporters to do the same and the Obama campaign has seen an outpouring of viral aesthetic support at a level never before realized by a political candidate. On the eve of tomorrow’s presidential election, we spoke with Shepard about the relevance of his work for Obama and his thoughts on the shape of political things to come. READ ON:

“Obama stopped in the middle of a Super Tuesday speech at the Avalon in LA to point out my poster and say ‘I love that graphic, and speaking of hope…’”

How is it even remotely possible that a graffiti artist with a lengthy arrest record and a history of breaking multiple laws in the name of “art” is branding the most visually successful presidential campaign of all time?
I was impressed with Obama’s speech at the 2004 DNC and I started paying attention to him. When he announced his presidential candidacy I thought it would be great to make an image in support of Obama. However, with my rap sheet and my body of work critical of U.S. policy, I was worried my endorsement of Obama might be an unwelcome affiliation. I wanted to help, not be a liability, so instead of my usual “act now, apologize later”, I asked through some friends if I could get the OK from the Obama campaign. I was finally told by Yosi Sergant in mid January, after asking at the end of Oct. 2007, that it was cool for me to make a poster on my own. I figured I should act quickly because the often-decisive Super Tuesday was Feb.5. I illustrated my Obama image the day I got the go ahead, and had the poster in production the following day. I wanted to get the posters out in my usual ways and I was not thinking the image would be much different from any of my posters except that I did intentionally make the image more reverent and patriotic with the hope that it could transcend my counter culture niche because Obama was guaranteed to have the support of the counter culture anyway. My hope was that the image would be able to pique the interest of moderates.

Shepard and Amanda Fairey with the man who might be king

Did Barack like your initial image? Does he know who you are & the kind of art you do?
Obama stopped in the middle of a Super Tuesday speech at the Avalon in LA to point out my poster and say “I love that graphic, and speaking of hope…” Of course I was happy about that. My friend, and former Harvard classmate of Barack’s, Hill Harper took my book and a Hope poster to Barack, so yes, he does know I’m a street artist. He also sent me a thank you letter in which he says that “whether seen in an art gallery or on a stop sign, your art has the ability to encourage Americans to think they can change the status-quo”. I think he understands what I do. I just don’t think Obama is as narrow minded as your usual politician. Obama’s campaign has responded to a NY Post suggestion that they “hired graffiti artists” by saying that they support grass roots art, but only within the parameters of the law. I think the Republicans have not latched on because there is no official connection to Obama’s campaign.