Openings: Shepard Fairey’s Obama “Hope” @ Smithsonian: National Portrait Gallery
The Smithsonian Institution has always been considered one of most prestigious museums in the world. It houses some amazing works including the “Portraits of America’s Presidents.” So, what’s a more fitting way to kick off the inauguration weekend than with the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery unveiling and inducting Shepard Fairey’s symbolic “Hope” image of Barack Obama. (previously announced here.) AM was invited to come along all-access and document the historic unveiling ceremony.
The elegant brunch reception in the Smithsonian courtyard preceded the unveiling as Shepard mingled with the “who’s who” that were in town for Inauguration week. From members of congress, to senators, to CEOs, everyone crowded around Shepard to express their excitement and their gratitude for his work on the campaign.
Read more and see all the pics after the jump!
It was a moving moment as the museum unveiled the image that inspired a nation of voters. Afterwards, the media swarmed around the Shepard and Amanda Fairey as fans lined up to have their pictures taken with the stunning portrait of the soon-to-be President. As the reception came to a close, the museum handlers whisked away the portrait to it’s next destination: the “New Arrivals” wall. This was where Shepard “greeted” by a full team of security… fortunately for Mr. Fairey, he was wearing a suit. =)
Uh oh... someone called security...
Thanks to the generosity of art collectors Heather and Tony Podesta (in honor of Tony Podesta’s mother, the late Mary K. Podesta), the “Hope” image will now be a part of the permanent collection of the Smithsonian for future generations to experience. Martin Irvine of the Irvine Contemporary was credited for dedicating the time and effort to make this possible.
Martin Irvine, Shepard, Tony and Heather Podesta
With a retrospective of Fairey’s work opening on February 6 at the Boston Institute of Contemporary Art, (Don’t worry, we’re covering it) and works already represented in the collections of the Museum of Modern Art, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, and the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, this historic induction into the Smithsonian further cements Shepard Fairey’s place in art history.
Again we congratulate Shepard Fairey for this tremendous achievement!
Museum curator w/Amanda & Shepard
The man behind the man behind the man: Yosi Sergant
Obama x Fairey Super Fan: Mia
Future Democrats of America
The Media...
-
- Brunch was luxuriously provided by Boeing!
-
- Martin Irvine, Shepard, Tony and Heather Podesta
-
- Gracious to all his fans...
-
- Shepard w/ James Bell (Boeing - CFO)
-
- Shepard w/Elsie Scott (CEO of CBCF) & Congress woman Barbara Lee
-
- Obama x Fairey Super Fan: Mia
-
- Future Democrats of America
-
- Sara Nixon (Move On) & Jen Gross (Evolution Media)
-
- I wonder what's underneath the veil?
-
- The Media...
-
- They live...
-
- Congratulations Shepard!!!
-
- The man behind the man behind the man: Yosi Sergant
-
- Uh oh... someone called security...
-
- Museum curator w/Amanda & Shepard
Tags: Barack Obama, Fairey-DC, Irvine Contemporary, Manifest Hope, Shepard Fairey, Smithsonian, Street Art
January 19th, 2009 at 5:06 am
[...] The boys at Arrested Motion were granted amazing access to the unveiling of Shepard Fairey’s impossibly iconic “Hope” portrait of Barack Obama at The Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery. The result is a pretty stunning set of images, mandatory reading/viewing for sure. There’s really not much to say that hasn’t already been said, this is a HUGE artistic accomplishment. Check out all of the pictures at ArrestedMotion.com. [...]
January 19th, 2009 at 1:00 pm
[...] congrats goes out to Shepard Fairey… his iconic Obama poster is now in the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery. [...]
January 20th, 2009 at 2:40 am
[...] la campagne présidentielle, vient de rentrer au Smithsonian Institute dans la section “National Portrait Gallery“. Cette affiche a été réalisée par un graphiste de l’agence STUDIONUMBER-ONE… [...]
January 20th, 2009 at 3:26 pm
[...] > 照片å–自近來紅到發紫的æ’畫家 Shepard Fairey（照片翻æ‹è‡ªè¯èˆªé£›æ©Ÿä¸Šçš„美國版GQ） > Obama Official [...]
January 25th, 2009 at 8:31 am
[...] Shepard’s “Obama Hope” print inducted into the Smithsonian: http://arrestedmotion.com/2009/01/openings-shepard-faireys-obama-hope-smithsonian-national-portrait-... [...]
February 18th, 2009 at 9:59 am
To say the least, the honor bestowed upon Shepard and Yosi only could happen with our President asnd his team’s efforts and vision!
As a 60’s Boomer, I can only feel the tradegies of the war and our 3 enormously talented leaders’ assasinations is emcompassed in our President’s victory and determination to move our country out of its many situations, and ‘up’ to the standard of our Founding Fathers!!!!!!!!!!!
March 20th, 2009 at 6:26 pm
[...] artist who created the iconic Andre the Giant image but became famous for his red and blue Obama HOPE poster, has not only made it to the National Portrait Gallery but he has made it to…Saks. The [...]
March 25th, 2009 at 9:25 pm
We are ALL famous and enriched by this experience and we have not seen anything yet! Thank you President Obama and Family. Thank you Mr. Fairey for believing in our President and country.
Warmest regards long remembered,
Phyllis J. Powers, Esquire