Barack and Michelle Obama spotlight their portrait done by Njideka Akunyili-Crosby, daughter of late Dora Akunyili
Njideka Akunyili-Crosby, the daughter of late Dora Akunyili, did a portrait of former US President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama and that portrait will now be given pride of place at the Obama Presidential Center.
Barack and Michelle Obama officially revealed and spotlighted their first joint official portrait today, June 15.
It was painted by the acclaimed Nigerian-born, Los Angeles-based visual artist Njideka Akunyili Crosby.
The Obamas praised the artwork ahead of the grand opening of the Obama Presidential Center.
The Obamas viewed the newly completed work during a private gathering at the museum's Hope and Change Lobby in Chicago.
Former First Lady Michelle Obama, who had been vocal about her desire for Akunyili Crosby to do a project with and for her, expressed deep admiration for the honor.
The piece is one of 28 original art commissions featured on the museum's campus.
In Akunyili Crosby’s portrait, both of the Obamas are seated, with Barack inclined casually on a desk, while Michelle is on a chair, legs crossed, in the foreground.
Akunyili Crosby wanted the Obamas to appear “significantly bigger than life-size” and gave the work a landscape orientation, a decision that left her with “a lot of interior space to invent.”
She surrounded the Obamas with objects from their respective pasts: a volume of the Harvard Law Review published during his tenure as the journal’s first Black president; a copy of Stevie Wonder’s Talking Book, the first album she ever owned.
Michelle Obama shared a video of her and Barack viewing the portrait and wrote in the caption: "Barack and I were so honored to have @NjidekaAkunyiliCrosby create our portrait for the Obama Presidential Center. 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!"
Having followed the unveiling of Barack and Michelle Obama's official portrait by Njideka Akunyili-Crosby, I was struck not only by the artistic quality but also by the narrative depth the painting conveys. What makes this portrait truly remarkable is how Akunyili Crosby integrates personal artifacts—like the Harvard Law Review and Stevie Wonder's Talking Book album—into the backdrop, enriching the piece's storytelling. From my experience visiting art exhibitions that fuse personal history with cultural identity, portraits like this transcend mere likeness to become windows into the subjects’ lives and values. The decision to render the Obamas 'significantly bigger than life-size' in a landscape format creates a welcoming space that invites viewers to explore not just the figures but the stories embedded around them. Moreover, having appreciated Akunyili Crosby's artistic journey before, including her unique style blending Nigerian and American influences, this portrait feels like a culmination of her explorations—highlighting themes of identity, history, and legacy. Seeing how Barack Obama casually leans on the desk while Michelle sits poised with crossed legs reflects their personalities and partnership in grace and strength. The portrait’s placement in the Hope and Change Lobby of the Obama Presidential Center also speaks volumes. It sets the tone for visitors, merging art with the Center’s mission to inspire civic engagement and leadership. For anyone interested in contemporary portraiture that tells a compelling story, this piece is a masterstroke. If you ever get a chance to visit the Center, spend time with this artwork and notice the fine details Akunyili Crosby included after immersing herself in the Obamas' public and private narratives. It’s a powerful reminder of how art can capture both the individual and the collective spirit of an era.
