Shepard Fairey’s ubiquitous illustration of President-elect Barack Obama,

seen throughout the 2008 election season, has been purchased by and will be exhibited in The National Portrait Gallery in Washington, D.C., Mr. Fairey’s mixed-media stenciled collage that depicts President elect Obama above the word “hope,” was created by Mr. Fairey, a Los Angeles-based artist known for rock-music album covers and a sticker campaign featuring the wrestler Andre the Giant. Martin E. Sullivan, the director of the National Portrait Gallery, remarked that the Obama poster was “an emblem of a significant election, as well as a new presidency.” The portrait which fetched $75,000 in donations is expected to be on display by Inauguration Day.

Frank Shepard Fairey, who usually omits his first name, born February 15, 1970 in Charleston, South Carolina is a contemporary artist, graphic designer and illustrator who emerged from the skateboarding scen and became known initially for his "André the Giant Has a Posse" sticker campaign. The Institute of Contemporary Art, Boston calls him one of today's best known and most influential street artists. He usually omits his first name.