CONTROVERSIAL: This iconic Obama poster was created by Shepard Fairey. PIC/AP

The artist who created the iconic pop-art portrait, which became the unofficial logo for Barack Obama's White House bid, has been arrested in Boston for defacing property with graffiti, US media reported.

Artist Shepard Fairey (38), the creator of a popular red, white and blue Obama poster, emblazoned with the legend "hope" "progress" or "change," showing the then-presidential candidate gazing off into the distance, was arrested in Boston on Friday.