By Michael Omotosho |
Former US President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama have officially spotlighted their first joint official portrait, a masterpiece created by acclaimed Nigerian-born, Los Angeles-based visual artist Njideka Akunyili-Crosby. The historic artwork was unveiled during an intimate viewing ahead of the grand opening of the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago, where it will hold a place of pride.
The couple viewed the newly completed work during a private gathering at the museum’s Hope and Change Lobby. The monumental piece stands as one of 28 original art commissions featured on the museum’s campus, celebrating both legacy and artistic brilliance.
A Masterpiece Rich with Personal History
In Akunyili-Crosby’s striking landscape-orientation portrait, the Obamas are depicted significantly bigger than life-size. Barack is inclined casually on a desk, while Michelle sits in the foreground with her legs crossed. The daughter of the late, revered Nigerian technocrat Dora Akunyili, the artist used the expansive interior space to weave deeply personal elements from the couple’s pasts directly into the canvas.
Eagle-eyed viewers will spot a volume of the Harvard Law Review published during Barack’s historic tenure as its first Black president. Beside it rests a copy of Stevie Wonder’s Talking Book, the very first album Michelle ever owned.
The Obamas Share Their Admiration
The former First Lady, who has long been vocal about her desire to collaborate with Akunyili-Crosby, expressed profound admiration for the final product. Sharing a video of the private viewing on social media, she praised the artist’s ability to capture their essence.
“Barack and I were so honored to have Njideka Akunyili-Crosby create our portrait for the Obama Presidential Center,” Michelle Obama shared. “Her artistic brilliance shines through and the way she infused such life and joy into the piece is truly extraordinary. We love it, and we think everyone who visits the Center will too!”
Inside the Emotional and Humorous Unveiling
The private reveal was filled with warmth, nostalgia, and a touch of trademark Obama humor. As they took in the scale and detail of the artwork including a rendering of Michelle’s childhood home on Euclid Avenue the former president couldn’t help but crack a joke about his appearance.
“My only real question is, how come you didn’t dye my hair in the photo?” Barack Obama joked during the viewing, prompting laughter from the room. “Don’t they usually touch it up a little bit?”
Akunyili-Crosby, smiling, admitted she had thought about it. She explained the immense depth of research that went into creating the familiar, comforting atmosphere of the painting, noting that her entire studio read their books, listened to their podcasts, and watched their videos to tap into their memories.
“It was good it was so challenging because it made me push myself. It took me out of my comfort zone,” Akunyili-Crosby stated.
The former president praised the intricate patterns in the painting, declaring the final result fantastic. Reflecting on the long-awaited collaboration, Michelle Obama turned to the artist and joyfully concluded, “You know how long I’ve been wanting this woman to do something with and for me? I mean… we did it!”
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