Political activism has always been a core pillar to Shepard Fairey’s over three-decade career. Amongst his many posters and building-sized murals, Fairey’s HOPE (2008) artwork became one of the campaign symbols for then-U.S. presidential nominee Barack Obama, as well as another stylized work the LA-based artist created following the terrorist attacks across France in 2016, entitled Liberté, Egalité, Fraternité.
As the race for the White House intensifies, Fairey is back on the campaign trail to reveal a new poster dubbed FORWARD (2024). “We have a very real opportunity to move forward,” said Fairey via Instagram. “If we act we can move forward our desire for a healthy planet, for corporate accountability, toward equality and away from racism, sexism, xenophobia, and homophobia, for equitable access to opportunity, for full access to the medical care we want or need, for fair and just immigration policies.”
The OBEY founder noted that he was not paid to create this work, nor is he benefitting financially in the promotion of Harris’ campaign. Instead, he “created this work purely in pursuit of a better future. Let’s get there together!” The U.S. Presidential Election will take place on Tuesday, November 5, 2024.
