I. THE IMAGE THAT CHANGED POLITICAL ART

Shepard Fairey's Obama "Hope" poster didn't just support a campaign—it redefined how political imagery functions in the digital age. Created in 2008, this single image became the most recognizable political artwork since Uncle Sam pointed at America. But the Hope poster was neither Fairey's first nor last foray into political portraiture. This catalog explores the complete arc of Fairey's political portrait series, from underground dissent to mainstream phenomenon.

Beyond Obama, Fairey has created portraits of activists, revolutionaries, and cultural icons who embody resistance. Each portrait deploys his signature high-contrast aesthetic to transform faces into symbols, individuals into movements. This analysis covers key works, variants, and the collector market that has emerged around these politically charged pieces.

II. WORK 1: Obama Hope (2008)

24x36" screenprint | Multiple editions | Signed variants

The original Hope poster began as an unsanctioned street campaign. Fairey created it independently, distributing 350 posters and selling 500 more to fund further production. The image went viral before "viral" was a marketing strategy.

Key Variants:

• Progress (original text, first 350)
• Hope (campaign-approved version)
• Change (later variant)
• Vote (election day edition)

Design Analysis:

• Four-color posterization inspired by Andy Warhol
• Upward gaze suggesting optimism and future vision
• Red, beige, and blue palette evoking patriotism without flag imagery

Available for Acquisition:

• Original street posters: $15,000–$25,000
• Campaign editions: $3,000–$5,000
• Later signed prints: $1,000–$2,000
• Condition: Various editions in inventory

III. WORK 2: We The People Series (2017)

24x36" screenprints | Edition of 500 each | Three designs

Created for the 2017 Women's March and distributed free as newspaper inserts, these portraits reclaimed American iconography for marginalized voices. The series features a Muslim woman in an American flag hijab, a Latina child, and an African American woman—all rendered in Hope poster aesthetics.

The Triptych:

• "We The People Are Greater Than Fear" (Muslim woman)
• "We The People Protect Each Other" (Latina child)
• "We The People Defend Dignity" (African American woman)

Distribution Innovation:

• 10,000 copies given free at Women's March
• Newspaper inserts in Washington Post and USA Today
• Open-source files released for free printing

Available for Acquisition:

• Complete signed sets: $2,500–$3,500
• Individual prints: $800–$1,200
• Newspaper versions: $200–$400
• Condition: Matched sets available

IV. WORK 3: Angela Davis "Revolutionary" (2005)

18x24" screenprint | Edition of 300 | Signed & Numbered

Predating Obama Hope by three years, this portrait established Fairey's political portrait template. Davis's iconic afro becomes a revolutionary halo, her direct gaze challenging viewers to action.

Visual Elements:

• Incorporates Black Panther imagery
• Background features protest slogans in multiple languages
• Color scheme: black, red, and gold

Available for Acquisition:

• Est. Value (2025): $3,000–$4,000
• Condition: 2 mint copies available

V. WORK 4: Ai Weiwei "Create" (2014)

18x24" screenprint | Edition of 450 | Signed

This portrait of Chinese artist-activist Ai Weiwei merges art and dissent. Created while Ai was under house arrest, the print became both artwork and protest document.

Symbolic Details:

• Sunflower seeds reference Ai's Tate Modern installation
• Chinese characters for "Create" dominate composition
• Proceeds benefited Amnesty International

Available for Acquisition:

• Est. Value (2025): $1,200–$1,800
• Condition: Framed and unframed available

VI. WORK 5: MLK "I Have a Dream" (2009)

24x36" screenprint | Edition of 400 | Signed

Created for the King Center, this portrait reimagines MLK through Fairey's revolutionary aesthetic. Unlike typical memorial imagery, this King appears urgent, contemporary, alive.

Design Innovations:

• Incorporates actual speech text as texture
• Peace sign subtly integrated into background pattern
• Purple and gold reference civil rights movement colors

Available for Acquisition:

• Est. Value (2025): $1,500–$2,200
• Condition: Multiple copies, various conditions

VII. THE POLITICS OF PORTRAITURE

Fairey's political portraits operate on multiple levels. Aesthetically, they flatten complex individuals into iconic symbols. Politically, they democratize imagery—turning street art techniques into campaign assets. Commercially, they've created a new collecting category where political memorabilia meets fine art.

The Obama Hope poster alone has spawned countless parodies, homages, and legal battles. But its deeper legacy lies in proving that political art can still move masses in an age of digital saturation.

VIII. COLLECTING CONSIDERATIONS

Authentication Priorities:

• Early editions command highest premiums
• Street-distributed versions rare but challenging to verify
• Campaign-sanctioned prints offer best documentation
• Beware of commercial reproductions flooding market

Market Trends:

• Political portraits appreciate around election cycles
• International subjects gaining collector interest
• Complete series more valuable than individual prints

All works above are available for acquisition. Inquire for detailed condition reports, provenance documentation, and framing options.

© 2025. Catalog content for collector reference. Authentication certificates available.