Robert Indiana, HOPE, 2008, inscribed Artist's Proof

Robert Indiana

HOPE, 2008

Silkscreen on 100% Acid Free watermarked paper

Pencil signed, numbered, dated and inscribed by Robert Indiana

25 inches (vertical) x 19 inches (horizontal)

Pencil signed, dated, numbered AP 25/25 and inscribed by Robert Indiana

Unframed

This is an Artists Proof from the edition of only 25 - with special artist's handwritten inscription, on watermarked paper. Bart English and Elin Elisofon from Vinalhaven and Portland, Maine, who were personal friends and neighbors of Robert Indiana. A longtime Vinalhaven resident, Elin was a painter, sculptor, photographer - and real estate agent. This iconic Robert Indiana silkscreen was created as part of the Artists for Obama portfolio in 2008, published by the Obama Victory Fund. And during the 2020 election, it became an even greater part of American popular culture when it was featured on the influential NBC show Saturday Night Live's cold open skit featuring the Vice Presidential debate between Kamala Harris and Mike Pence. Mid-debate, "Joe Biden" (played by actor Jim Carrey), watching from his living room sofa and eager to help out, leaps up from his chair and asks his doctor to teleport him to the debate - where he lands, inadvertently, as the famous fly that stayed on Mike Pence's head. On the wall behind Biden's "doctor", in clear view, is an edition of this work: Robert Indiana's 2008 silkscreen HOPE. (Quite the conversation piece!) For reference is a photograph of Robert Indiana signing the edition, as well as images of the Saturday Night Live Cold Open. Own a piece of Political and Pop Art History!

Hand-signed by artist, Pencil signed, dated and numbered AP 25/25, as well as inscribed For Bart & Elin by Robert Indiana; paper is watermarked by AIA with text