Obama + Obey

The Obama image did come with its share of CONTROVERSY. Fairey’s bashers claim that he stole and then repurposed other artist’s work and ideas for his own gain – a stigma that has dogged him over the years. Months after the election and long after the OBAMA HOPE image became a lasting cultural icon, the Associated Press threatened to sue Fairey seeking credit and compensation. Fairey freely admits his portrait was based on a photograph taken by the AP’s Manny Garcia, but argues that his version’s authenticity is protected under “fair use” law. Rather than get bullied by the media giant, Fairey sued it. He’s asking a judge to rule that he did not infringe on a copyright because the nature and meaning of the photograph were dramatically changed. A landmark legal battle is now pending. Fairey also acknowledges that to create the Obama portrait he borrowed from themes Emory Douglas explored in The Black Panther Newspaper during the civil right’s struggles of the 1960’s. Some cite it as another example of thievery; others call it a clear indicator that Fairey supports domestic terrorism. He thinks the criticism is crazy citing a newfound appropriateness to the REVOLUTIONARY power of the Black Panther art and the relevant symbolism of the group’s “do it yourself” mentality.