Shepard Fairey
Big Idea or Subject:
Campaign promotion
Major Theme:
Hope
Medium or Presentation:
Print/poster/graphic design
Visual Components:
Color, value, repetition, rhythm, text, movement, line, form, contrast, shapes
Category:
Pop art, pop culture
Authorship:
Shepard Fairey
Title:
Barack Obama "Hope" poster
Original Location:
Distributed/sold in Chicago, IL
Description and Interpretation:
In this design thee is Barack Obama. He is staring firmly ahead. The image looks vectored using red, an off-white color, and blue, which are also the colors of the American flag. The American flag also appears to be on a button in the bottom right of Obama's shoulder. Beneath Obama is the word “HOPE” printed boldly, in all capital letters. With or without being given the context that this was made during Obama’s presidential campaign in his home town I would still understand, just by seeing this poster, that this is a promotion or advocacy for President Obama in some way. The way that he is looking forward makes him seem determined, and ready for action. The colors indicate that he stands for Americans, or is American himself. The word HOPE insinuates to me that he creates hope for bleak circumstances.
Use in Teaching:
This could be used as another example of integrating imagery and text, which we have encountered several times in our own classroom. Additionally, this could be used in a lesson which examines the use of color, and how certain colors, schemes, or combinations can make you feel different emotions or assume different ideas. Since I chose this to be in the category of pop art and popular culture, the poster could also be used as an example while teaching either of these categories. Questions I may ask my students might include: Doe this poster seem to promote or oppose this person (Barack Obama)? Why or why not? What does pairing the word HOPE with an image of Barack Obama express? Would the concept be as clear? Why or why not? Why do you think the artist chose the colors red, white, and blue? What elements of this poster make it pop-art? (Warhol similarities, Barack as figure in popular culture.)
Source:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barack_Obama_%22Hope%22_poster
Campaign promotion
Major Theme:
Hope
Medium or Presentation:
Print/poster/graphic design
Visual Components:
Color, value, repetition, rhythm, text, movement, line, form, contrast, shapes
Category:
Pop art, pop culture
Authorship:
Shepard Fairey
Title:
Barack Obama "Hope" poster
Original Location:
Distributed/sold in Chicago, IL
Description and Interpretation:
In this design thee is Barack Obama. He is staring firmly ahead. The image looks vectored using red, an off-white color, and blue, which are also the colors of the American flag. The American flag also appears to be on a button in the bottom right of Obama's shoulder. Beneath Obama is the word “HOPE” printed boldly, in all capital letters. With or without being given the context that this was made during Obama’s presidential campaign in his home town I would still understand, just by seeing this poster, that this is a promotion or advocacy for President Obama in some way. The way that he is looking forward makes him seem determined, and ready for action. The colors indicate that he stands for Americans, or is American himself. The word HOPE insinuates to me that he creates hope for bleak circumstances.
Use in Teaching:
This could be used as another example of integrating imagery and text, which we have encountered several times in our own classroom. Additionally, this could be used in a lesson which examines the use of color, and how certain colors, schemes, or combinations can make you feel different emotions or assume different ideas. Since I chose this to be in the category of pop art and popular culture, the poster could also be used as an example while teaching either of these categories. Questions I may ask my students might include: Doe this poster seem to promote or oppose this person (Barack Obama)? Why or why not? What does pairing the word HOPE with an image of Barack Obama express? Would the concept be as clear? Why or why not? Why do you think the artist chose the colors red, white, and blue? What elements of this poster make it pop-art? (Warhol similarities, Barack as figure in popular culture.)
Source:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barack_Obama_%22Hope%22_poster
More Artwork By Shepard Fairey
Obey This Film is an interesting video about Shepard Fairey and the company that he had started called Obey, which has become very popular, and is best known for its prints, graphics, and clothing that can be found internationally.