Barack Obama: Portraits of a President - An interview with Richard Baker
illustration 11.15.15
Richard Baker is a noted designer who has directed the visual identities of numerous top magazines, including Parade, Life, Us, Vibe and more. We interviewed RIchard about the Portraits of a President evening.
(Above): Illustration from The New Yorker by Barry Blitt.
Why President Obama? Why now?
President Obama is a controversial presence in politics, and he makes for a great subject among illustrators. Now that we're near the end of his eight years as President and are in the middle of the next election, I thought it would be a good time to look back through the eyes of some of the best-known and accomplished visual satirists--who also are some of my favorite illustrators. I think it's rare to witness in real time the authentication (which is what these artists do) of a moment in the American political timeline. This event will give the audience the opportunity to see some great works of visual journalism while hearing the artists talk about their personal journeys in creating these stunning portrayals of President Obama.
Four of the most-renowned political satirists will be on stage: Barry Blitt, Steve Brodner, Anita Kunz, and Edel Rodriguez. These artists have been assigned work by some of the best-known publications in the world. They will compare notes, tell anecdotes and exchange views with each other and the audience about what it takes to portray, sometimes in undignified parody, the most powerful politician in the world, and what it might say about us. The discussion will also take the long view of these visual documents in the context of journalistic history. They will discuss the challenges of illustrating someone whose politics they might or might not agree with, and the fine line they sometimes walk between healthy respect and appropriate cynicism. Politics mixed with art should provide a lively discussion!
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