Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Street artist Shepard Fairey scores with Obama posters


November 08 242
Originally uploaded by Lord Jim
Frank Shepard Fairey (born February 15, 1970 in Charleston, South Carolina) is a contemporary artist, graphic designer and illustrator who emerged from the skateboarding scene[1] and became known initially for his "André the Giant Has a Posse" sticker campaign. His work became more widely known in the 2008 United States Presidential Election, specifically his Barack Obama "HOPE" poster, says Wikipedia. The Institute of Contemporary Art, Boston calls him one of today's best known and most influential street artists.[2

Shepard Fairey was raised in Charleston, South Carolina. His father was a doctor. Fairey became obsessed with art at the age of 14. At that time he started to place his drawings on skateboards and T-shirts.[3]

Fairey graduated from Rhode Island School of Design in 1992 with a Bachelor of Arts in illustration.

In addition to his successful graphic design career Shepard Fairey also DJ's at many clubs under the name DJ Diabetic and Emcee Insulin, as he has diabetes.[4]

His first art museum exhibition, aptly named Supply & Demand alongside his book, opens in Boston at the Institute of Contemporary Art in February, 2009.[5]

He sits on the advisory board of Reaching to Embrace the Arts, a not-for-profit organization that provides art supplies to disadvantaged schools and students.[6]

Fairey currently resides in Los Angeles, California, with his wife Amanda and daughters Vivienne and Madeline.

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