The Obama Portraits

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Archive

2021

The Obama Portraits Presented by the Art Institute of Chicago —

Portraits of the Obamas by artists Amy Sherald and Kehinde Wiley projected onto the facade of THE MART in collaboration with the Art Institute of Chicago.
Portraits of the Obamas by artists Amy Sherald and Kehinde Wiley projected onto the facade of THE MART in collaboration with the Art Institute of Chicago.
Eye Icon Icon of an eye with lashes, opened if the projection is on view; closed if projection is archived.

Archive

2021

About the Work

In conjunction with the Art Institute of Chicago’s exhibition, ART on THE MART presented a dynamically animated projection of the portraits of President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama by artists Kehinde Wiley and Amy Sherald, respectively. 

Former Chicago residents, the Obamas have a unique connection to the city. Wiley painted President Obama against greenery, with chrysanthemums; the flowers have symbolic meaning as the official flower of Chicago. Amy Sherald captured the former first lady against light-blue ground, sitting and gazing directly at the viewer. Kehinde Wiley and Amy Sherald were the first African American artists commissioned to paint portraits for the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery's collection of a former President and First Lady. A musical score accompanied the piece.

Sponsor Information

The Art Institute of Chicago in Chicago's Grant Park, founded in 1879, is one of the oldest and largest art museums in the world. Recognized for its curatorial efforts and popularity among visitors, the museum hosts approximately 1.5 million people annually.

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