In the National Portrait Gallery exhibits the work of Washington artist OBAMA HOPE Shepard Feira. This author was famous because of its «aesthetics of propaganda»

Print Feira Shepard (Shepard Fairey) with the image of a man who is about to become 44 th U.S. president, no doubt, has become one of the most popular works of art in 2008. All year the posters with the face Obama, looking thoughtfully into the distance, a difference of as hot cakes - even now, two months after the election, Americans continue to buy them and hang on the windows of their houses. Feira work done in red and blue colors, you can now see in the National Portrait Gallery in Washington. The product is the first portrait of a new president, which was included in the collection of American Museum. It was received as a gift from lobbyists and collectors Heather and Tony Podesta (Heather & Tony Podesta). The brother of the last John Podesta (John Podesta) - one of the leaders of «transition teams» Obama.

In 2008, probably no one character is not inspired by contemporary artists like Obama. Emerged even during the whole called Obama Art . Black candidate enjoys strong support from the so-called «street artists», many of which are inspired by various aspects of contemporary African American culture. At Obama drew the attention of even those artists whose art seemed to be far from politics. For example, Elizabeth Peyton (Elizabeth Peyton), famous for its portraits of languid androginnyh boys in honor of the victory of Obama wrote a picture depicting his wife, Michelle (Michelle Obama), and daughters, Sasha (Sasha Obama).

Of course, Obama is not the first president of the United States, whose portraits of famous artists write. For example, Andy Warhol (Andy Warhol) has written a portrait of Richard Nixon (Richard Nixon), and Chuck Klouz (Chuck Close) - Bill Clinton (Bill Clinton). But the portraits, of course, is not imbued with a sincere love of the image Obama made by contemporary artists. In this regard, especially made prints Feira. This 38-year-old artist called «new Warhol» largely because it uses a pop-artovskie technique when creating his works. Like Warhol, he often creates portraits of famous people - Muhammad Ali (Muhammad Ali), the leader of the group The Clash, Joe Strammera (Joe Strummer) and the other - but in contrast to the «father of pop-art», treats its characters with Ironically, Feira to really likes them and finds their idols. It positions itself as the present U.S. «leftist». The main inspirer Feira - posters totalitarian powers. However, the artist uses their figurative language in order to advocate pacifism.

Though Feira and leftist, he still can not abandon the attractive commercial offers. Recently, he designed posters, covers of catalogs and handbags to elegant New York department store Saks Fifth Avenue. Seeing that he has turned out Russian art lovers, no doubt, experience the joy of recognition: the American painter inspired creativity Alexander Rodchenko . Senior Vice President of Marketing Department Saks Terrón Schaefer (Terron Schaefer) proudly says that his works Feira expressed the essence of the company. «What we are doing every day - this is propaganda», - he said. Although the artist himself feels that his work for Saks is not linked to any ideology: it is just a way to attract attention and make money. Well, if Feira ever will torment twinge of conscience, he can always remember that he had a new Warhol. Old Warhol certainly be related to catalog and Saks poster depicting Obama is the same.

Material prepared Yulia Maksimova

Source: theartnewspaper.com , artinfo.com , artinvestment.ru