Barack Obama Poster
Canvas Giclee (mounted on stretcher bars) unsigned
by Obama
I
liked [the Obama portrait] right away and then talked
to myself about the artist's choices and the essential
differences between a painting and a photograph. How
does Rob make this so appealling to me? For one thing,
the choice of colors is very calming and inspires
my confidence. The shades of chocolate, sepia, caramel,
and umber demonstrate that the brown spectrum can
be a lively place indeed, and very warm. Unlike a
candidate's poster, this politician isn't waving a
flag. Here he is a man, not an iconic representation
of the Democratic party. He is alone in an undefined
space where he stands ready to be judged as himself.
The dark shadow behind his head accentuates his profile
and his well-defined skull seems more than up to the
intellectual challenge of the presidency; at the same
time, his softly parted lips look ready to offer a
greeting, something familiar and tender. In this space
he separates the past from the present. He is disconnected
from symbols of American history, or of the history
of the African man in America. It is not forgotten
but it is in the shadow, not in the look in his eyes.
He is in the moment. I imagine in four years he will
be somewhat different from bearing the weight of the
future.
R. Sue Dodea
M E N 
men's
portraits
