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| Barack and Michelle Obama unveil their first commissioned portrait by Njideka Akunyili Crosby at The Obama Presidential Center Museum. |
Former U.S. President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama have once again demonstrated their commitment to celebrating contemporary art and diverse artistic voices through the unveiling of their latest official portrait, The Obamas: Springing Forth.
Presented to the public earlier this week at the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago, the monumental artwork was created by acclaimed Nigerian-born artist Njideka Akunyili Crosby, one of the world’s most influential contemporary figurative painters.
The Obamas have consistently taken a forward-thinking approach to their official portraits. President Obama previously commissioned renowned artist Kehinde Wiley for his National Portrait Gallery portrait, while Michelle Obama’s iconic first lady portrait was created by celebrated artist Amy Sherald. Their newest commission continues this tradition of elevating groundbreaking artists whose work reflects culture, identity, and history.
Measuring an impressive nine by twelve feet, The Obamas: Springing Forth portrays Barack and Michelle Obama seated before a window, with Michelle Obama’s childhood home prominently featured in the background. The painting is rich with symbolic details that tell the story of their lives and journeys.
Among the carefully placed personal references are a bust of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., which President Obama kept in the Oval Office during his presidency, and a Stevie Wonder album, representing the first record Michelle Obama ever owned. These meaningful elements transform the portrait into a visual narrative that celebrates memory, heritage, and personal milestones.
Born in Nigeria in 1983, Njideka Akunyili Crosby has earned global recognition for her distinctive artistic style, which blends painting with photographic collage to create layered stories about identity, memory, and cultural experiences.
She is a recipient of the prestigious MacArthur Fellowship and is represented by Victoria Miro Gallery and David Zwirner Gallery. Her works are part of major international collections, including the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the Tate. Crosby studied at Swarthmore College, the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, and Yale University.
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| Njideka Akunyilil Crosby The Obamas: Springing Forth, (2026). Photo: Marten Elder. © Njideka Akunyili Crosby / Courtesy of the artist, Victoria Miro, and David Zwirner |
Her signature artistic approach often combines intimate domestic scenes with vibrant photographic textures, creating powerful visual tapestries that connect personal histories with broader cultural narratives.
Sharing his excitement on social media, former President Barack Obama praised the artist and the significance of the collaboration.
“It was great joining Njideka Akunyili Crosby—a gifted Nigerian-born, Los Angeles-based artist—to unveil our first portrait together. This piece reflects so many chapters of Michelle and my story, and we’re thrilled that it will be on display in the Hope and Change lobby at the Obama Presidential Center starting this Juneteenth,” he wrote.
The unveiling not only celebrates the legacy of the Obamas but also highlights the growing global influence of African artists, with a Nigerian-born creative once again taking center stage in one of America’s most historic cultural institutions.
