Shepard Fairey unveils new work depicting Republican nominee Donald Trump

THE man behind the iconic Obama image creates a new one for Donald Trump, but he can’t bring himself to do one of Clinton.

THE artist behind the defining image of Barack Obama’s campaign and presidency has unveiled a new work inspired by Donald Trump, but said he can’t bring himself to create one for Hillary Clinton.

US artist Shepard Fairey shot to prominence in 2008 with his creation “Hope” that captured the optimism of Barack Obama’s appeal.

He told CNN how his latest work depicting Donald Trump is inspired by the “Orwellian” world of 1984 novel, Big Brother.

“The idea of an all powerful Big Brother dictating how people live their lives because they’re fearful and feel watched all the time. Donald Trump and what he has said about his plans to jail Hillary if he is elected ... feels very Orwellian to me so when I rendered him that was the route I took,” he said.

DEMAGOGUE PRINT AVAIL. TODAY AT 10 AM (PST) ON https://t.co/ef4SC20Fq1 IN PRINTS! #Obey #ObeyGiant #Trump pic.twitter.com/1sPvY8JCPa

— Shepard Fairey (@OBEYGIANT) October 19, 2016

Shepard Fairey, 46, said he is shocked at the mood in the US at present and has not been inspired to create an artwork for Hillary Clinton. Picture: AFP PHOTO / Anthony WALLACE

However the artist, who is currently exhibiting at a “Visual Disobedience” show in Hong Kong, said he could not bring himself to create one for the Democratic nominee.

“She is evolving and transforming depending on how she feels she’ll be most well received and that makes her difficult to pin down graphically,” he said.

“People have asked me whether I would do an image and I haven’t found her inspiring enough to make an image.

“The reason I made an image of Obama was that I felt that he was unique in his humanity and communications skills for mainstream candidate. I wouldn’t say I’m feeling optimistic about America right now, I think the quality of discourse has really degraded.”

Mr Fairey, who works under the name Obey Giant has created art for Democrat Bernie Sanders, who was beaten by Mrs Clinton in the Democratic primary.

He said he despairs at the “lack of intellectual curiosity” in the US at present and “the way that media plays to people’s base instincts rather than try to elevate the discourse.”

“I’m a capitalist pig like everyone else but I still think it’s possible to be a capitalist and have some compassion.”

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The iconic picture of Obaama in 2008 that Fairey initially sold as posters on the street. It was later bought by the US National Portrait Gallery.