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Officially Unofficial: Inspired Art for Obama at Chicago Tourism Center

By Jen Hazen in Arts & Entertainment on Mar 30, 2009 5:00PM

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Exhibit Poster by Ray Noland / CRO

Of course you’ve seen Shepard Fairey’s “Hope” design on posters, buttons, the cover of Time Magazine, even as a bad tattoo. But Fairey isn’t the only independent artist who was compelled to create in support of then President-elect Barack Obama’s campaign. Now you can see more than 100 works (prints, posters, photos, and videos) from artists, designers, and the Obama ‘08 campaign at Officially Unofficial - Inspired Art for Obama,” opening April 1 at the Chicago Tourism Center.

“The work illustrates the role artists and designers can have on our society,” says Scott Thomas, former Design Director of the Obama for America campaign. He curated the show along with Chicago artist Ray Noland/CRO of “Go Tell Mama!” poster series fame, as well as Nathan Mason of the Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs.

The exhibit is teeming with work by local talent, like designer Sol Sender’s Obama ‘08 logo and branding, posters by Delicious Design League, Cody Hudson, and much more that helped to (beautifully) pave Obama's way to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.

Chicago Tourism Center, 72 E. Randolph Street, Opens Wednesday, April 1 and runs thru May 31. Gallery talks--12:15 p.m. on April 16 with Ray Noland and on May 28 with Scott Thomas. Gallery hours are Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. and Sunday, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Free.