Njideka Akunyili Crosby Paints First Official Dual Portrait of the Obamas
The Obama Foundation has revealed the inaugural official portrait of Barack and Michelle Obama, created by Nigerian-born artist Njideka Akunyili Crosby, who is based in Los Angeles. Titled "The Obamas: Springing Forth" (2026), this large painting employs Akunyili Crosby's distinctive photo-transfer technique and will be showcased in the lobby of the $850 million Barack Obama Presidential Center in Chicago, referred to as the "Obamalisk." The portrait features Michelle sitting cross-legged in front of Barack, who is seated at a desk. The composition includes elements from Michelle's childhood home in Chicago, the Martin Luther King, Jr. bust from the Oval Office, and references to their four Grammy wins. A video released by the foundation captures the couple's initial reactions, with Barack noting the need to "soak it in," while Michelle expressed her admiration for the artist's work. The center is set to open to the public on Friday, June 19, coinciding with Juneteenth.
Key facts
- First official dual portrait of Barack and Michelle Obama
- Painted by Njideka Akunyili Crosby
- Titled 'The Obamas: Springing Forth' (2026)
- Uses photo-transfer technique
- Displayed in lobby of Barack Obama Presidential Center
- Presidential Center cost $850 million
- Center nicknamed 'Obamalisk'
- Other artists include Idris Khan and María Magdalena Campos-Pons
- Portrait based on photograph taken by Akunyili Crosby
- Includes Michelle Obama's Chicago childhood home
- Includes Charles Alston Martin Luther King, Jr. bust
- Includes faded photos of couple embracing
- Includes okra and coral hibiscus plants
- References four combined Grammys for audiobooks
- References 1963 March on Washington photograph
- Obama Foundation released video of couple's reaction
- Barack Obama said 'we've got to soak it in'
- Michelle Obama said 'you got everything'
- Center opens June 19, timed to Juneteenth
Entities
Artists
- Njideka Akunyili Crosby
- Idris Khan
- María Magdalena Campos-Pons
- Charles Alston
- Peter Paul Rubens
- Édouard Manet
- Kehinde Wiley
- Amy Sherald
- Martin Luther King Jr.
- Stevie Wonder
Institutions
- Obama Foundation
- Barack Obama Presidential Center
- Obama Presidential Center
- Obama Presidential Library
- David Zwirner
- Victoria Miro
- National Portrait Gallery
- Victoria Miro Gallery
- David Zwirner Gallery
- Museum of Modern Art
- Metropolitan Museum of Art
- Tate
- Swarthmore College
- Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts
- Yale University
- Galerie Magazine
Locations
- Los Angeles
- Chicago
- United States
- Nigeria