London: A pencil screen print poster of
Barack Obama by contemporary American artist Shepard Fairey
went under the hammer here for thrice its estimate price.
The signed, dated and numbered `152/5000` unframed
poster called `Change` sold for 4,560 pounds which was
inclusive of buyer`s premium at Bonhams` Urban Art sale
yesterday.
The print is believed to be one of only 200 ones which
were hand-signed and given to members of Obama`s presidential
campaign team and had a pre-sale estimate of 1,000-1,500
pounds.
Fairey created a series of posters for Obama`s
candidacy for US president, including the better-known `Hope`
portrait which featured on the front cover of Esquire magazine
in 2009 and was acquired by the US National Portrait Gallery
in 2008.
Initially the Obama campaign declined to have any
affiliation with the posters. However, within weeks of the
release of the original version, which featured the word
`Progress`, a new version was requested bearing the caption
`Hope`.
Subsequently, future versions, such as `Change` and
`Vote`, were embraced by the campaign.
So much so that Obama wrote to Fairey, "I would like
to thank you for using your talent in support of the
campaign... I am privileged to be a part of your artwork and
proud to have your support."
PTI
