Two screen prints of former President Barack Obama from internationally known artist Russell Young are on display at the Long-Sharp Gallery in downtown Indianapolis.
The works are part of the artist’s “Obama Legacy Portrait Series” which opens in New York next week. Young photographed Obama over the course of a few days in 2006 when the then Illinois senator was making speeches in South Central Los Angeles.
“He got up on the stage and was talking. I was so impressed about how much he cared about people. We talked about his concerns and my concerns," Young says. "He had so much charisma.”
Young says one image became the center piece for his series.
“He took his jacket off, rolled up his sleeves," Young recalls. "I took a number of photographs but this one image captured me. It was like almost praying, he has his eyes down, he is in a moment. It’s beautiful and really captures who he is.”
A portion of the sales of the prints will benefit charities supported by the Obama’s including Habitat for Humanity and Calvary Women’s Services.
The Long-Sharp Gallery is located inside the Conrad Hotel in downtown Indianapolis.
