There are very few people who have not seen this well-known depiction of Obama by Shepard Fairey. It has become the most iconic image of Barack Obama during his election.

This patriotic red, white and blue Obama illustration is supremely optimistic! This illustration conveys the desire of Americans, disillusioned with their government’s failings, to create a new brighter future. The word "Hope" perfectly expresses this message!
Obama’s face alone concretizes the artist intentions; it’s as if he is staring off into the future with a look that is stead-fast and undaunted, ready for the challenges to come.

The National Portrait Gallery in Washington is the perfect home for this amazing illustration. Right in the hub of American politics, there is no better place for fans of art to gather in order to view this inspirational 6-foot work of political art.
HOPE is right at home in the proverbial ‘seat of power’!

The mega-popular Obama illustration was unveiled last Saturday (15 October) and has been placed in the new arrivals section. This will also become part of a permanent exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery.

Nobody, not even the artist himself, realised that this illustration would go on to become so popular, but here it is, one of the most powerful political images to appear in recent years.
It burned through the internet at a frightening pace - spurred on by supporters and critics alike. The image became a tool for supporters to spread his message and capitalize on its brilliance as it became the face of Obama’s veritable social-media tsunami.

There has been a bit of controversy surrounding the image. Initially the design was spread without much thought, but was then picked up by one of Obama’s team who believed the campaign had the rights to the original photo. This led to the name being changed on the portrait from “hope” to “change”.

The design has since become a ‘meem’ that has been used in a million and one ways. Some intended to ridicule, some simply to make you laugh. Any way you look at it, this design has become an integral element of the Obama campaign and even the ‘soul’ of the election race itself. We will continue to see variations of this design for a very long time to come.

You can also see Springleap’s very own version of this design on our homepage.

Shepard’s Obama illustration is truly a window into the mindset, the hopes and dreams of the people of the time. It’s not very often that a new leader is burdened with such immense expectations, as Obama most certainly has been.

What do you thing guys and girls? Is this the most iconic political illustration ever?

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