5.11.08

Ray Nolan "Go Tell Mama"


The streets of America were echoing hope for change with the uplifting closure of the campaign. I, along with the largest voting population in The United States to date, moved to the polls, many for the fist time ever. With a small group of friends we sat anxiously in front of the tube with tears of joy pouring as shouts filled the streets. A great since of unity has overcome this nation.

Chicago artist Ray Noland assisted in the Obama stir as his mysterious posters have been found across American cities. Recovering from a serious bicycle accident, the idea for a poster campaign came to Noland in the summer of 2006. It was in hospital bed that Noland decided “I wanted to do something to make an impact. After the accident, I felt like,’Man, this is another chance at life. You better make it good,’” he said.

A longtime Obama admirer, Noland designed a digital portrait of the candidate that captured the excitement and promise of the campaign. Based from an old Time magazine cover, mastered four-colorportrait of Obama – gazing straight ahead, looking handsome and determined –over the words “THE DREAM.”

The word spread fast of as the imagery was strong. Using donations from the prints to pay for paint and other production costs, he printed 10 posters at first eventually as demand grew 1,000 posters were printed at a time. Noland’s posters began selling between $20-$50 across the country as profits were reinvested in the project. Noland later made six short animated campaign commercials.

Noland’s work will be on display and for sale at the Go Tell Mama”officially unofficial” art show, 2421 W. Madison St., Friday 6 to 9 p.m.,and Saturday and Sunday noon to 6 p.m.

www.gotellmama.org