The Obama Art Phenomenon

The grassroots Barack Obama art movement started out with nothing more than a few artists, unknown to each other from all areas of the county wanting to spread Obama's message of hope to the people. Around the country in all corners of every state Barack Obama art started popping up, seemingly out of nowhere. Graffitied images of Obama's face and his campaign logo, posters and other Obama inspired art were on everything from shoes to street signs. What began with a few people expressing their support for Barack Obama turned into a national phenomenon.

Among those in the grassroots movement was guerilla street artist Shepard Fairey who created a series of posters used in Obama's campaign which included most famously the Obama Hope Poster. The original printing of this poster was limited to 350 pieces, however public demand for the image caused Fairey to have to quickly produce more. Those images rapidly became iconic images known worldwide.

Word art also became popular by taking Obama's speech from the New Hampshire Democratic Primary, "Yes We Can" and incorporating it into Obama Words into Image. There have also been many other images produced which have been inspired by the "Yes We Can" speech and many other Obama Quotes.

Grassroots art turned from local to national within just a few months. Websites tracking the Obama Art phenomenon started cropping up as well such as www.obamaartreport.com which is updated daily with artwork and information. Barack Obama art became a staple during the election process and no doubt played a key role in his victory amongst his many competitors throughout the campaign trail leading to the White House.

Featured Artists

There are of course many hundreds of people out there producing Obama art, whether it is for private use, commercial use or whatever the case may be. We are privileged to shine the spotlight on three artists we think stand out.

Ocean Clark is a pop art artist from Hoboken, New Jersey. Clark is known for his stunning images of Americana stars such as Frank Sinatra and Marilyn Monroe. Clark has now gone on to create equally beautiful images of President Barack Obama including this award winning image Obama Speaks Poster from the Manifest Hope contest held in August 2008. Clark is sure to be an American icon himself one day and what better time than now is there to get to know this up and coming artist?

Next we have Jota Leal, who like Clark is known for his celebrity images, but unlike Clark, Leal is a Caricature artist. This award winning artist (Caricaturist of the Year Award for 2003) loves nothing more than to draw people and more specifically their inner souls. He has been called 'an interpreter of the subconscious'. Creating illustrations of everyone from Steven Tyler, Adrian Brody and Theodore Roosevelt. Leal now adds Jota Leal Obama Poster to his list.

Featured Obama Art Print

President Barack Obama means so much to so many people. He has promised hope for a weary nation and inspired people to believe in a unified cause. Barack Obama has changed the course of history in so many ways and is often compared to that of President Abraham Lincoln.

Barack Obama respects, admires and is a scholar of his predecessor. Obama went so far as to pay respect to his idol by taking the oath of Presidential office upon the same bible which Lincoln himself used in 1861. Obama also took the same train ride to Washington, DC that Lincoln took summoning America to a new spirit of optimism.

Each man faced his share of problems when entering into the great and overwhelming position of President of the United States. Each man became a lawyer then served in the state legislature before serving a single term in Congress. The similarities do not end there though as both men share a comparable physique, both had young children as they entered office and both are prolific speech writers.

It is no wonder with so many similarities that an homage to these men in the form of the two coming together to form one person was created. As seen to the left this print takes the pure essence of the men and captures it in this beautiful illustration. Among the vast ray of Barack Obama Posters this is sure to stand head and shoulders above many.