Shepard Fairey & Other Artists Create Posters To Encourage Voting

By Mikelle Leow, 03 Apr 2024

In the face of a critical election year, the nonprofit People For the American Way (PFAW) is reviving its Artists for Democracy initiative. This project, launched in 2016, unites renowned artists to create powerful works that ignite public discourse and inspire civic engagement.

This year’s iteration, Artists for Democracy 2024, spotlights established names like Shepard Fairey, the contemporary street artist and activist behind OBEY Clothing and the iconic Hope poster of Barack Obama’s 2008 campaign, alongside multimedia artist Carrie Mae Weems and a roster of about 20 creative talents. The hope is to reframe and reclaim core American values like patriotism and democracy through art.

“Democracy is not a spectator sport; it requires active participation,” Fairey expresses. “There is so much at stake in this election, and it’s important that we all do everything we can to defend our fundamental freedoms.”

Artwork by Shepard Fairey. Image via People for the American Way

The project also features graphical treatments by Victoria Cassinova, a multimedia artist known for exploring themes of identity and social justice; Jeffrey Gibson, a Choctaw-Muscogee artist who utilizes traditional craft techniques to address contemporary issues; Titus Kaphar, a painter whose work confronts racial injustice and the legacy of slavery; Deborah Kass, a conceptual artist who uses bold text and imagery to provoke thought; Christine Sun Kim, a deaf performance artist known for pushing boundaries and challenging societal norms; John Lehr, whose work often explores social and political themes; and Beverly McIver, a photographer known for her powerful portraits that explore race, gender, and identity.

Carrie Mae Weems NOT AGAIN T-shirt. Image via People for the American Way

There’s also Amalia Mesa-Bains, a Chicana artist whose work explores themes of social justice and community; Sam Messer, a sculptor and installation artist known for his thought-provoking works; Angelica Muro, a Los Angeles-based artist whose work blends graffiti and social commentary; Cleon Peterson, whose work often critiques power structures and social inequalities; Alyson Shotz, a multimedia artist who explores themes of gender, identity, and the environment; and Hank Willis Thomas, a conceptual artist whose work confronts issues of race, identity, and popular culture.

PFAW seeks to leverage the influence of these artists to mobilize at least one million voters in battleground states. Founded in response to the perceived threats to American democracy during the Reagan era, the organization has a long history of collaborating with artists to spark social change.

Each artist involved in the campaign shares a common goal: defeating Donald Trump. While they support President Joe Biden’s reelection, their focus remains resolute. Talking to Artnet News, Peterson proclaims that team blue has “crossed over orange into red zone” in a bid to prolong democracy and “Save Our Asses.”

Artwork by Cleon Peterson. Image via People for the American Way

The artworks will be used across various media platforms, including murals, posters, and online campaigns. Additionally, PFAW has launched a Kickstarter fundraiser to erect billboards in key states such as Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Arizona, serving as powerful reminders of the stakes involved. Rewards arrive in the form of prints and T-shirts.

“Billboards are as American as baseball and apple pie,” comments the nonprofit. “Jared Bell pioneered the American billboard in the 1830s, and by the 1860s, new laws were passed to allow businesses to buy or lease outdoor space for advertisements. Nearly 200 years later, billboards dominate our highways, streets, and cities. They’re a perfect place for artists to take center stage and speak on what matters to them.” Explore more pieces below.

Artwork by Christine Sun Kim. Image via People for the American Way