As November’s US presidential election approaches, more artists are putting their talent in service of Democratic candidate and current vice president Kamala Harris.
165 leading contemporary artists—Carrie Mae Weems, George Condo, Jenny Holzer, among others—have contributed pieces to the aptly-titled group, Artists for Kamala, which will host a week-long sale starting October 1. The online sale includes an auction as well as a series of fixed-priced offerings, and all proceeds raised will go directly the Harris’ campaign.
The art star-studded list spans sculptors, photographers, painters, and all the in-between; longtime artist-activists—Judy Chicago, Michele Pred, Amy Sherald, Hank Willis Thomas—are joined by market veterans like Jeff Koons, Cindy Sherman, and Alex Katz.
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Simone Leigh, 2022 Golden Lion-winner, said in a statement that she is “honored” to be part of this project: “Today our country faces many challenges, from threats to reproductive rights to economic inequality. Kamala has the vision, tenacity and compassion needed to face these challenges and concrete plans to improve the lives of all Americans,” she said, adding, “We share Jamaican heritage, love for the diverse fabric that represents the best of this country, and a drive to push forward meaningful change. I’m absolutely delighted to endorse Kamala Harris for President.”
Since President Biden bowed out of the presidential race, a large swath of the art world has embraced Harris. In August, Shepard Fairey announced his first presidential endorsement since the first Barack Obama campaign with the poster FORWARD, featuring a graphic-rendered Harris. The poster, like its iconic Obama inspiration, is boldly graphic, loudly optimistic, and draws on Harris’ campaign slogan, “We are not going back.” Harris gazed upwards, accompanied by the phrase “FORWARD”.
“While we have not achieved all the goals we might be seeking, we are making progress—all in the face of expanding threats and regressive political adversaries,” Fairey said in a statement.