In 2010 we were in Portland, Oregon visiting old friends. Our visit happened to coincide with Obama’s pre-election visit to the city to give a speech at a stadium. We all booked to be present at this historical event.

We joined the long queues forming outside and had to wait some time, and so witnessed the complicated security arrangements. I took photos …many armed men with ear pieces and dark glasses, overhead helicopters…general surveillance. 

It was fascinating to observe and record, not quite knowing why or how I would use these images back home. The result was a series of drawings…an extension to a another series of work already completed on the subject of surveillance in the old eastern bloc, primarily East Germany.

These are a few examples.

Obama Security, Portland, Or. USA. Acrylic
Obama Security, Portland, Or. USA. Acrylic.
CCTV surveillance. USA. (Mono print)