Artist: Ray Noland – Blagojevich Street Art

Ray Noland understands the importance of duplication and distribution. His designs and Internet campaigns (including on the cover of this magazine) contributed to the ground swell of support around president Obama’s campaign, and continue to rally the populace around political figures and events. He’s the mastermind behind the “Go Tell Mama” traveling art show, and co-curator of the exhibition “Officially Unofficial,” which profiles art inspired by Obama, at the Chicago Tourism Center until May 31.

You can see Noland’s latest work on the streets of Chicago. “Run Blago Run” depicts the former governor on the run in a tracksuit, as he was often seen in his neighborhood, and “Survivor Blago” shows Blagojevich kneeling, attempting to make a fire. Describing the inspiration for his current work, Nolan says that “the image of Blagojevich jogging around Ravenswood in the middle of winter (snow on the ground) in that black track suit was an instant classic,” as if the image presaged its own joke. Noland’s original design included the running governor escaping from Obama, holding ferocious attack dogs and casually chatting on his cell phone.  Continue reading at NewCity Art

For more images by Raymond Nolan, see his Flickr page.