Artist of iconic Obama portrait arrested
By twilight • Feb 7th, 2009 • Category: Design/Artwork, Lead Story |
The creator of the famous iconic red, white and blue portrait of President Barack Obama was arrested in Boston on graffiti charges. The portrait of the new President has appeared on thousands of posters and T-shirts throughout the country.
Shepard Fairey, a Los Angeles artist who exploded in the art world with his design was arrested on Friday night while traveling to the Institute of Contemporary Art to kickoff his first solo exhibition. Fairey’s “Hope” image of Obama hangs in the National Portrait Gallery in Washington. Shepard Fairey was issued warrants for his arrest on January 24 for damaging property with graffiti. His arraignment is scheduled on Monday where he could face up to three years in jail. Fairey recently made headlines when the artist demanded to be compensated for its use of his portrait to be used. He said that his image was based on an April 2006 Associated Press photograph of Obama. |
| “We believe Shepard Fairey has made an important contribution in the history of art and to popular thinking about art and its role in society,” according to a museum statement. | |
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