Local street artist Winston Tseng has recently confirmed that he is the creative mind behind the controversial artwork that dubbed Vice President Kamala Harris as the “official candidate of the Philadelphia Eagles.” However, Tseng disavows any knowledge of how the artwork made its way onto bus stops across Philadelphia.
Tseng took to Instagram to share the statement he provided to the press on Thursday in response to what he deemed as “wild conspiracy theories.” In his statement, the artist took ownership of the artwork while shedding light on the intention behind it.
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“My work employs brands and advertising as a means to address societal issues,” Tseng explained. The piece, officially titled “Political Endorsement,” drew inspiration from actual ads featuring phrases like “official beer” and “official accounting firm of the Philadelphia Eagles.”
Delving into the topic of political endorsements, Tseng posed the question of why individuals place significance on endorsements from entities such as Hulk Hogan or corporations. He described his satirical artwork as a reflection of the present era.
Concluding his statement, Tseng urged individuals to register to vote and added a playful “Go Birds!” shout-out, humorously signing off as the “Official Artist of the Philadelphia Eagles.”
Posters showcasing Tseng’s artwork mysteriously surfaced in early September, with Tseng maintaining that he was unaware of how they made their way onto Philadelphia bus stops.
The Philadelphia Eagles swiftly disavowed any association with the posters, denouncing them as “counterfeit political ads” and collaborating with advertising partners to promptly remove them.
Amidst the realm of notable celebrity endorsements in the presidential race, pop sensation and Berks County native Taylor Swift publicly declared her support for Harris, sparking discussions on the impact of celebrity endorsements and triggering a surge in visits to voter registration websites.
“For my safety, please note that this artwork was created before Swift endorsed Harris,” Tseng clarified in an Instagram comment.