Robert Indiana, HOPE (from Artists for Obama), 2008 Unique Printers Proof

61 × 48.3 cm

Edition PP 1/10

This work was published in 2008 as part of the "Artists for Obama" portfolio, in which some of the top artists contributed prints to raise money for Obama's presidential campaign.

This is an extremely rare Printer's Proof (PP) which was originally in the collection of the printer of this iconic work. It is very desirable as it is the very first Proof (PP1/10) -- of only 10 proofs - making it more unique.    This iconic edition of Political and Pop Art history is now part of Pop Culture history, as it was featured in the Cold Open of NBC's popular program, Saturday Night Live lampooning the Vice Presidential debates -- after "Biden" (Jim Carrey) leaps up from his chair and asks his doctor to teleport him to the debate - where he lands as the infamous fly on Mike Pence's head .  Additional photos are of Robert Indiana signing the edition, and stills from NBC Entertainment's SNL segment. 

In 2008, Robert Indiana created an image similar to LOVE (letters stacked two to a line, the letter “o” tilted on its side), but this time showcasing the word “HOPE” and donated all proceeds from the image to the Democratic National Committee for Barack Obama’s presidential campaign. A stainless steel sculpture of HOPE was unveiled outside Denver’s Pepsi Center during the 2008 Democratic National Convention and has since been installed in Times Square in New York, in front of the John Hancock building in Chicago, Illinois; and as part of several museum exhibitions. Since that time, Robert Indiana has created additional HOPE sculptures which can be found throughout the world, including the six which will be on view during Hope Day.