Introduction
Not just a political first, but a moment in cultural and artistic history delivering hope beyond borders for artists globally — her election to Vice President of the US was processed for days. Harris made history as the first woman, the first Black woman and the first South Asian American woman to serve as vice president — a pitch-perfect archetype of breaking barriers and disrupting expectations. Many artists have honored her in their own art, creating visual commemorations that hit on empowerment, intersectionality and political reform. This essay contemplates five artists working on Kamala Harris and why their expression is relevant and significant against the backdrop of contemporary sociopolitical scenario.
1. Shepard Fairey
Artist Shepard Fairey give Kamala Harris the Obama Hope treatment in 2020. Fairey teamed up with Time magazine in designing this potent Harris portrait on their cover, showing the way she is charting several new chapters for American politics. The bold, graphic style of Fairey often incorporates elements of propaganda art. The portrait of Harris portrayed her as a leader and also relatable human. His art has always been sort of the venn diagram between art and activism, those circles intersect there so his portrayal of Harris in this moment is now part of his ongoing narrative to depict people who have pushed our country forward, who embody the change we hope to see.
2. Bria Goeller
Bria Goeller’s interpretation of Kamala went viral for its artistic and clever response One of her digital piece “I’m Speaking” that surfaced during 2020 Vice Presidential Debate made it all about the power of women. In the artwork, a spectral shadow of Ruth Bader Ginsburg haunts Harris, underscoring the historical import of her words. The work also came from a scene in the debate where Harris finally told Pence to “I’m speaking” after cutting her off multiple times. Goeller tapped into this cultural moment and her work became a visual symbol of women speaking out in patriarchal environments. It was retweeted thousands of times and rapidly spread across social media as a symbol of Harris as an intelligent, confident woman breaching glass ceilings.
3. Victoria Cassinova
Victoria Cassinova’s artwork, titled Kamala Harris: Freedom, was created as part of the “Artists for Democracy” campaign by People For the American Way. The portrait emphasizes the fight for freedom and aims to inspire voter participation by reframing concepts like liberty and patriotism. Cassinova’s piece is symbolic of reclaiming personal and political freedom, and it features the message, “Our fight for the future is a fight for our freedom.” The portrait also contributes to a broader social justice narrative, using art to motivate action in critical elections.
4. María Magdalena Campos-Pons
In celebration of Harris’s inauguration, Campos-Pons created a collaborative film titled When We Gather. This project, combining dance, poetry, and music, honoured Harris and the generations of women who paved the way for her. The work draws on her Cuban heritage and the Yoruba religious traditions of her childhood.
5. Stan Herd
Land artist Stan Herd carved a giant portrait of Kamala Harris into a Kansas field in 2024, using the landscape to symbolise Harris’s deep connection to the American people and her role in shaping the nation’s future
Conclusion
The election of Kamala Harris as vice president also pushed a range of artists to pay homage to her, and in the process help write and rewrite the ways she was envisioned as a political figure and icon. Talents of artists such as Shepard Fairey, Bria Goeller, Tatyana Fazlalizadeh, Chris Rogers and Terry Urban have paid tribute to Harris through prominent mediums including murals as well the digital arts. In glorifying her own achievements, they also gesture to larger struggles for gender equality, racial justice, and political representation. In their art, these creators have helped stir up the conversation surrounding what Harris’ election means for America and the world.
