The artist behind the iconic Hope poster from Barack Obama’s 2008 campaign has struck again, this time creating compelling artwork for Vice President Kamala Harris’ presidential bid. Renowned artist Shepard Fairey unveiled his latest piece titled Forward, showcasing the Democratic nominee against shades of blue, with her red lipstick drawing the viewer’s attention. Harris is depicted wearing not just her signature style but also symbolizing strength with pearl accessories.
Fairey articulated the essence of the artwork, stating, “We are not going back. These words from Kamala Harris summarize the moment we are in, and in order not to go back, we must go FORWARD!” This exclamation conveys his support for Harris as she navigates the political waters leading up to the 2024 presidential elections.
Alongside Harris, Fairey expressed his backing for her running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz. He proclaimed, “They are our best chance to push back on encroaching fascism and threats to democracy, and our best chance for creating the world we all desire and deserve.” With such emphatic declarations, Fairey positions their candidacy as pivotal for the future of American democracy.
This isn’t Fairey's first foray voicing political stances through art. His previous work has seen highs and lows within the political spectrum. After the success of his Hope poster, which became synonymous with the Obama campaign, Fairey soon felt disillusioned with the actual policies enacted during Obama’s term. He admitted to Esquire back in 2015, “There have been a lot of things he’s compromised on, which I never would have expected.”
Despite labeling Donald Trump as “dangerous” during the 2016 election, Fairey chose not to create artwork for Hillary Clinton, citing her as “not inspiring enough,” according to comments made to CNN. Instead, post-election, he pivoted to protest Trump with three art pieces titled We the People, which illustrated diverse women including Muslim, Latina, and African-American figures, symbolizing resistance against regressive policies.
Interestingly, during the 2020 election, Fairey refrained from producing campaign-centric artwork for Joe Biden. Instead, he collaborated with Greenpeace USA for another impactful poster. This piece challenged Biden soon after he took office, urging him to fulfill his climate promises, asking, “Which Future Will You Deliver?” The artwork starkly contrasted environmental devastation against the hope of cleaner Earth scenarios, reflecting the urgent narrative of climate change.
With Fairey now producing art for Harris, the stakes feel particularly immediate. The shared message of moving forward resonates with many, especially as the electorate is facing choices about the direction of the country. Harris’s leadership embodies hope for many who feel the past few years have leaned toward division and intolerance.
By marrying art and political activism, Fairey continues to carve his niche as more than just an artist; he stands as a commentator on societal values and political urgency. His engagement with the Harris campaign signals not merely support but also reflects wider concerns among artists and citizens alike about the state of democracy.
Through these creative expressions, the call to action is clear: the time is now for participation and advocacy, as encapsulated by the emphatic declarations of both Fairey and Harris. The upcoming election is shaping up to be not just about individual candidates, but about the broader question of America’s identity and future.
With the political arena as charged as ever, all eyes will be on how Harris leverages such endorsements as she moves forward with her campaign strive for the White House. Shepard Fairey’s poster serves not only as art but as rallying cry, embodying the aspirations of supporters who demand progress.