Kehinde Wiley and Amy Sherald to Paint Official Obama Portraits
Barack Obama has selected Kehinde Wiley, a leading African-American artist known for reimagining classical portraiture with hip-hop and street culture, to paint his official presidential portrait. Michelle Obama chose Amy Sherald, winner of the Outwin Boochever Portrait Competition, for her portrait. The Smithsonian Institution announced the selections, aligning with the Obamas' advocacy for racial and gender equality. The portraits will be unveiled in 2018 at the National Portrait Gallery in Washington, D.C., joining the collection of presidential portraits. A second set will hang in the Obamas' private residence. Wiley is famous for works like his depiction of rapper Ice T as Napoleon, while Sherald's portrait of Michelle Obama marks her first major commission.
Key facts
- Kehinde Wiley will paint Barack Obama's official portrait.
- Amy Sherald will paint Michelle Obama's official portrait.
- The portraits will be displayed at the National Portrait Gallery in Washington, D.C. in 2018.
- The Smithsonian Institution announced the artist selections.
- Wiley is known for reinterpreting classical art with African-American and hip-hop themes.
- Sherald won the Outwin Boochever Portrait Competition in 2016.
- A second set of portraits will be placed in the Obamas' private residence.
- Obama previously used Shepard Fairey's 'Hope' poster for his 2008 campaign.
Entities
Artists
- Kehinde Wiley
- Amy Sherald
- Shepard Fairey
- Ice T
- Mariacristina Ferraioli
Institutions
- Smithsonian Institution
- National Portrait Gallery
- Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture
- Outwin Boochever Portrait Competition
- Artribune
Locations
- Washington, D.C.
- United States
- Honolulu
- Los Angeles
- Columbus