Artist behind Obama's 'Hope' posters arrested on graffiti claims

Washington, February 8 (ANI): The street artist who became famous after making his red, white and blue " Hope" posters of U.S. President Barack Obama was arrested on Friday for allegedly making graffiti.

Police have revealed that Shepard Fairey was arrested on Friday, when he was going to the Institute of Contemporary Art to deejay a kick-off event for his first solo exhibition, called 'Supply and Demand'.

Officer James Kenneally said that two warrants were issued for Fairey's arrest on January 24, following determination that he had tagged property in two locations with graffiti based on the Andre the Giant street art campaign from his early career.

He revealed that one of the locations was the railroad trestle by the landmark Boston University bridge over the Charles River.

Jake Wark, a spokesman for the Suffolk District Attorney, said that Fairey was scheduled to be arraigned on Monday in Brighton District Court.

The 38-year-old, from Los Angles, would also be arraigned on a default warrant related to a separate graffiti case in the Roxbury section of Boston, Wark said.

Fairey has been arrested numerous times for drawing on buildings and other private property without permission.

The ICA described the reason for Fairey's arrest Friday as "his efforts posting his art in various areas around the city."

"We believe Shepard Fairey has made an important contribution in the history of art and to popular thinking about art and its role in society. We are enthusiastic to be working with him and are pleased to be showing the first museum retrospective of his work," CBS News quoted an ICA statement as saying.

The police released Fairey a few hours after his arrest.

Fairey's representatives were not available comment. (ANI)