Barack and Michelle Obama have unveiled their first official painted portrait together, created by acclaimed contemporary artist Njideka Akunyili Crosby. Titled "The Obamas: Springing Forth" (2026), the work will be permanently installed in the Hope and Change Lobby of the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago, a public space accessible without a ticket. The former president and first lady previewed the painting on June 14th, ahead of the center's public opening celebration.
This portrait marks a significant moment in the intersection of contemporary art and presidential legacy, as Akunyili Crosby—a MacArthur Fellow and one of the most celebrated living artists—joins the tradition of artists commissioned to depict U.S. leaders. The choice of a Nigerian-born, Los Angeles-based artist reflects the Obamas' ongoing engagement with diverse voices in the art world, while the public placement of the portrait in a free-access lobby underscores the center's mission of inclusivity and civic engagement.