Politics1 min read

Obama portrait artist draws Burnham for Big Issue cover to highlight rough sleeping vow

By · Via The Guardian Politics · Published by Everything Blog

In short

Shepard Fairey designed the exclusive artwork, titled "Home," featuring Andy Burnham in a red Big Issue vendor tabard to highlight commitments against rough sleeping. The special collectors' edition will be sold directly on the streets by vendors and through the organization's online platform. In an accompanying interview, Burnham advocates for reliable public funding to ensure councils maintain outreach beyond seasonal winter spikes. Furthermore, London's Saatchi Gallery will exhibit the original piece as part of its "Beyond the Streets" showcase running through May 2027.

Key points

  • The custom magazine cover aims to hold Andy Burnham accountable to his official promises…: The custom magazine cover aims to hold Andy Burnham accountable to his official promises regarding rough sleeping.
  • Local councils will receive designated funding to present alternative housing offers to e…: Local councils will receive designated funding to present alternative housing offers to every individual sleeping on the streets.
  • Consistent public investment is sought to stop homeless support services from dropping of…: Consistent public investment is sought to stop homeless support services from dropping off sharply following the new year.

Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1

The “Hope” portrait of Barack Obama by the US street artist Shepard Fairey came to symbolise a historic 2008 presidential campaign, became one of the most ubiquitous and reproduced political portraits of modern times, and ended up in the Smithsonian.

Fairey’s latest work, of the UK prime minister, Andy Burnham, may not elicit the same response but will, he hopes, deliver a hard-hitting message: one of a promise made.

The portrait, “Home”, captures Burnham in a red Big Issue tabard when, as Greater Manchester mayor, he sold copies with vendor Colin in 2023, and is the front cover of a new collectors’ edition of the magazine.

Designed exclusively for the Big Issue, it’s a reminder to the new prime minister of his pledge to tackle rough sleeping. From Monday, it will be sold on streets, and also be unveiled on the walls of the Saatchi Gallery in London as part of a six-month street culture exhibition, Beyond the Streets.

Fairey said: “The thread that runs through all my work is a push for justice. This portrait reminds us of the…

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