Barack and Michelle Obama Unveil First Official Joint Portrait by Nigerian Artist Njideka Akunyili Crosby

In a heartfelt ceremony at the newly completed Obama Presidential Center in Chicago, former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama unveiled their first official joint portrait on June 14, 2026. The monumental work, titled The Obamas: Springing Forth (2026), was created by acclaimed Nigerian-born, Los Angeles-based artist Njideka Akunyili Crosby and now graces the Hope and Change Lobby of the museum — a public space open to all visitors without a ticket.

The unveiling comes just ahead of the Center’s grand opening to the public on Juneteenth, June 19, 2026, marking a significant cultural milestone for the $850 million campus on Chicago’s South Side. The portrait, a densely layered mixed-media piece measuring over 9 feet tall and 10 feet wide, captures the Obamas not only as historic public figures but as individuals with rich personal histories, family ties, and shared joys.

Akunyili Crosby, known for her signature photo-transfer technique that blends painting with collaged archival imagery, based the central composition on an original photograph she took of the couple. Barack Obama is depicted seated casually on a desk, subtly angled toward Michelle, who sits cross-legged in the foreground, exuding ease and confidence. The scene is set within an interior that echoes architectural elements of the Oval Office, while opening to views of Michelle’s childhood home on Euclid Avenue in Chicago, complete with her father’s beloved 1970 Buick Electra.

The work bursts with symbolic details that weave together the Obamas’ public service, personal milestones, and cultural influences:

•  References to the Civil Rights Movement, including a bust of Martin Luther King Jr. by Harlem Renaissance artist Charles Alston that adorned the Oval Office.

•  A copy of Stevie Wonder’s Talking Book album — Michelle’s first record, gifted by her grandfather, which they danced to at their wedding.

•  Items from Barack’s life, such as a volume of the Harvard Law Review (where he served as the first Black president) and small charms from constituents.

•  Family photos, the couple’s Grammys for their audiobooks, a basketball, books they authored and love, and a March on Washington image.

•  Flowering plants and vegetables with personal significance, including okra and coral hibiscus, in a vase inspired by Dave the Potter.

Using acrylic, colored pencils, charcoal, and photo transfers on paper, the piece creates a vibrant, collage-like depth that rewards close viewing. “This densely layered work honors and connects the Obamas’ lasting legacy to the many generations of artists, activists, citizens, and leaders whose collective journeys helped pave their way,” the Obama Foundation noted.

Njideka Akunyili Crosby, born in Nigeria in 1983 and a MacArthur “Genius” Fellow, brings a unique perspective to this historic commission. Her practice often explores identity, memory, and the African diaspora through intricate, narrative-driven works. This project pushed her creatively, as she immersed herself in the Obamas’ books, interviews, and stories alongside her studio team.

At the unveiling, the Obamas expressed deep appreciation. Michelle Obama highlighted the “life and joy” infused in the piece, saying it captured “all the stories within the story.” Barack Obama noted how it reflects “so many chapters of Michelle and my story.” Akunyili Crosby told the couple she aimed for familiarity and resonance through the layered references.

The portrait joins other major site-specific commissions at the Center by artists including María Magdalena Campos-Pons, Jeffrey Gibson, and others, curated to emphasize civic engagement and cultural heritage.

As the Obama Presidential Center opens its doors, The Obamas: Springing Forth serves as a welcoming beacon — freely accessible in the main lobby — inviting visitors to explore the many layers of history, resilience, and hope embodied by the first couple. In an era of reflection on American democracy and progress, the work by a Nigerian-American artist underscores themes of shared heritage, migration, and the power of representation.

The Center’s opening events, including community celebrations and a star-studded gala, will further celebrate this addition to Chicago’s — and the nation’s — artistic landscape. For those eager to experience it, the portrait awaits in the museum lobby, ready to inspire generations.

This unveiling not only honors the Obamas’ enduring legacy but also spotlights the vibrant contributions of contemporary artists like Akunyili Crosby in shaping how we remember and envision public figures.