Official portrait of Barack and Michelle Obama unveiled ahead of presidential center's opening
The mixed-media portrait is one of 28 original works commissioned for the Obama Presidential Center and was privately unveiled before the museum opens to the public.
- On Sunday, the Obama Foundation unveiled the first official joint portrait of former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama, painted by Nigerian-born artist Njideka Akunyili Crosby and displayed in the Obama Presidential Center's Hope and Change Lobby in Chicago.
- Titled 'The Obamas: Springing Forth, 2026,' the portrait is one of 28 original artworks commissioned for the $850 million center's art program, designed to frame the Obamas' legacy through culture and connect history, identity, and civic life.
- Akunyili Crosby wove personal and historical symbols throughout the work: Michelle Obama's childhood home on Euclid Avenue with her father's 1970 Buick Electra, the Resolute Desk's carved relief, the Martin Luther King Jr. bust from the Oval Office, and Stevie Wonder's album 'Talking Book'.
- Michelle Obama said 'It's us and all of the stories within the story,' adding 'oh my God you got everything in there,' while Barack Obama joked, 'How come you didn't dye my hair in the photo?' as the crowd laughed.
- The unveiling precedes the center's grand opening ceremony Thursday, with the museum opening to the public Friday at $30 general admission on the 19.3-acre South Side campus; Illinois residents receive free entry on Tuesdays and the portrait lobby remains accessible without a ticket.
16 Articles
16 Articles
Obamas love portrait by Nigerian artist Njideka Akunyili Crosby
Former US President and former First Lady Barack and Michelle Obama could not hide their excitement when they saw a portrait of themselves at the Obama Presidential Center. The Obamas were presented the artwork by Nigerian artist Njideka Akunyili Crosby, who worked with them to bring the portrait to life. In her post on Facebook, Michelle had this to day about the portrait: “Barack and I were so honoured to have Njideka Akunyili Crosby create ou…
New portrait showing the Obamas and their life story debuts at Obama Presidential Center
The first official portrait of Barack and Michelle Obama — a large, detailed artwork that includes images of the significant moments, objects and places in their lives — was unveiled this week at the Obama Presidential Center.The framed 9-by-10 foot work by artist Njideka Akunyili Crosby features Barack Obama clad in a dark suit and informally seated on a table. Michelle Obama, wearing a deep blue dress, sits in a chair next to him. The couple i…
'Gifted artist' – Barack Obama praises Nigeria’s Njideka Akunyili as they unveil joint portrait
Former United States President, Barack Obama, has unveiled a new portrait created in collaboration with Nigerian-born artist, Njideka Akunyili Crosby, describing it as a reflection of key moments in his personal and political journey. Obama announced the unveiling via X on Monday, noting that the artwork captures several chapters of his life and that it will be displayed at the “Hope and Change” lobby of the Obama Presidential Center starting th…
The Obamas Unveil First-Ever Official Dual Portrait
The Obama Foundation revealed the first official portrait of Barack and Michelle Obama together, painted by Nigerian-born, Los Angeles-based artist Njideka Akunyili Crosby, the family’s philanthropic organization announced on Monday, June 15. Akunyili Crosby’s large-scale painting of the couple, "The Obamas: Springing Forth" (2026), rendered in the artist’s signature photo-transfer technique, will be on view in the lobby of the $850 million Bara…
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