This has been widely reported on over the last couple of days, but it makes me feel so good, I thought I would mention it here too…
The original portrait of Barack Obama by LA graphic design artist Shepard Fairey (also known as a "street artist" out west) will soon hang in the National Portrait Gallery. Super-lobbyists and uber-collectors, Tony and Heather Podesta, purchased the piece and have donated it to the Portrait Gallery. Regarding the donation, Tony says:
It seemed like a historic moment for the country, and a chance to do something for art and Democrats.
Well said, Tony. I especially like the focus on the artistic value of the portrait. We have all seen the realistically painted portraits of the previous presidents all holding a traditional pose. To me Fairey's style marries Obama's message and brings us all forward.
What really cracks me up is that it will initially hang in the "new arrivals" gallery on the first floor of the museum – near the newly unveiled portrait of Laura Bush. That should create quite a contrast, don't you think?
I will try to drop by and see it when Laura and I attend the Inauguration festivities on the 20th.
(Information and quotes for this post were pulled from this Washington Post article by Amy Argetsinger and Roxanne Roberts. Above image of Barack Obama by Shepard Fairey)
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