Artist of Obama ‘HOPE’ Poster Reveals New Kamala Harris Design

Shepard Fairey, the artist and activist behind the iconic Barack Obama “HOPE” poster that became a symbol of the 2008 campaign, recently unveiled his latest political work featuring Vice President Kamala Harris on social media.

Fairey, the founder of OBEY Clothing, has created a new piece portraying Harris looking upward in a predominantly blue and green sketch. The word “FORWARD” is prominently displayed at the bottom of the print, while a red circular KH symbol appears to her side.

On Instagram, Fairey explained that Harris’s call to action, “We’re not going back,” inspired his latest creation. He stated that these words summarize the current moment perfectly. “And in order not to go back, we must go FORWARD!” Fairey emphasized in his post.

He added, “While we have not achieved all the goals we might be seeking, we are making progress – all in the face of expanding threats and regressive political adversaries.” Fairey highlighted the importance of moving forward, noting a “very real opportunity” to achieve significant social and political advancements.

Fairey outlined several key issues that society can address by moving forward, including environmental health, corporate accountability, equality, and the elimination of racism, sexism, xenophobia, and homophobia. He also mentioned the necessity of equitable access to opportunities, comprehensive healthcare, and fair immigration policies.

Fairey, who in 2015 expressed that Obama did not fully live up to his “HOPE” poster, described the Democratic ticket of Harris and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as the “best chance to move forward.” He asserted that they represent the most viable option to counter rising fascism and threats to democracy.

“They are our best chance for creating the world we all desire and deserve,” Fairey asserted, while urging his followers to check their voter registration status. He acknowledged that politics can be messy but insisted that the messiness of political work should not be an excuse to disengage. “Messy is the work and the work can be joyful. Messy is what it takes to get through the daunting mess in pursuit of a better future. But we only win if we show up,” he remarked.

Fairey declared that the “FORWARD” design of Harris is intended as a tool for grassroots activism and is available for non-commercial use. He clarified that he was not paid for this work and will not receive any financial gain from its distribution.

In addition to Fairey’s art, another new portrait of Harris, created by New York City illustrator and street artist Jacob Thomas, also uses the word “FORWARD.” Thomas told HuffPost that he envisioned Harris bringing a “jolt of energy” to her party, which inspired his dynamic piece. His design features Harris in front of an American flag-like background, with the text “FORWARD” below her.

Source: HuffPost Instagram