RARE ORIGINAL OBAMA "HOPE" ARTWORK
DONATED BY SHEPARD FAIREY
TO ART FOR LIFE CHARITY AUCTION








[Los Angeles- July 14, 2008] Shepard Fairey, the contemporary artist whose irreverent works have deconstructed the meaning and methods of propaganda, ironically became the creator of one of the most potent political images in recent history - the OBAMA "HOPE" poster. The image found such immediate resonance with Obama supporters that it became ubiquitous throughout the primary campaign and across the web.

Now, at the request of Russell Simmons, Shepard has donated one of three fine art versions of the poster to the charity auction, Art For Life, an annual event which benefits Simmons' Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation.

This piece is approximately 4 foot x 6 foot in size and is a mixed media stencil collage on cotton rag paper. This "HOPE" may be the only fine art piece of this image available to the public, and is one of only three in existence.

The Art For Life auction ends Tuesday, July 16 at noon. Then the online budding is closed and the highest bidders are invited to bid by phone during the live auction on July 19. Entering the online auction is the only way to enter the live auction. The online auction can be found here:

https://auction01.charitybuzz.com/secure/viewItemDetail.do?auction_item_id=79609&lotsindex=10&show=10&order=default


ABOUT SHEPARD FAIREY

Born in Charleston, South California in 1970, Shepard Fairey is a contemporary artist, graphic designer and illustrator who emerged from the skateboarding scene and became known initially for his "André the Giant Has a Posse" sticker campaign, which morphed into a multi-decade street art project called "OBEY" which redefined the reach and meaning of fine art in public spaces. Fairey graduated from Rhode Island School of Design in 1992 with a B.A. in illustration. Fairey created a series of posters supporting Barack Obama's candidacy for President in 2008, and he sits on the advisory board of Reaching to Embrace the Arts, a not-for-profit organization that provides art supplies to disadvantaged schools and students. Shepard Fairey currently resides in Los Angeles, California where he helms the design and branding company Studio Number One.

For more information please visit http://www.obeygiant.com

ART FOR LIFE EAST HAMPTON HISTORY ART FOR LIFE

Art For Life East Hampton is Rush Philanthropic's primary outreach to friends and supporters. Through this event, thousands of children are served by helping them acquire the skills needed to build a successful life. This benefit is one of Rush Philanthropic's most important annual fundraising efforts, attended annually by a sold-out audience of more than 750 leaders in the entertainment, arts, business, and philanthropic communities. After eight sold out successful years, ART FOR LIFE is poised to make its ninth year even more exciting. The evening will honor exemplary individuals for success in their respective fields and good works to better the community.

ABOUT RUSSELL SIMMONS / RUSH PHILANTHROPIC

Russell Simmons is responsible for bringing the culture of hip hop to world through the record companies, management concerns, clothing brands and production companies he has founded, ranging from Def Jam to Phat Farm to Def Comedy and Def Poetry Jam television series. Simmons founded Rush Philanthropic with his brother Reverend Joseph "Run" Simmons, the former lead rapper of Run DMC, in 2000. It's primary focus is bringing children arts education, sponsorship and mentorship in the arts so that they can experience the transformative effect of creative expression. Simmons has been involved in the Obama campaign since he endorsed the Senator in March, 2008.