Nigerian-born artist captures the Obamas in first commissioned joint portrait

Njideka Akunyili Crosby, the acclaimed Nigerian-born, Los Angeles-based artist renowned for her layered artworks, has created the first official joint portrait of former President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama.

Her works blend personal narratives, Nigerian cultural references, and American experiences.

The unveiling, shared on social media by the Obamas, highlights a key artwork for the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago. Titled The Obamas: Springing Forth, the large-scale piece will welcome visitors in the Hope and Change lobby starting Juneteenth.

In the intimate domestic scene, Barack Obama stands casually in a patterned suit while Michelle Obama sits confidently in a striking blue dress. The composition features Akunyili Crosby’s signature photo transfers, vibrant flora, family mementos, architectural elements, and cultural touchstones,  including references to Michelle’s childhood home, historical figures, and personal archives, that reflect the couple’s shared journey, heritage, and legacy.

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Former President Obama praised the work for reflecting “so many chapters of Michelle and my story.” Michelle Obama added her own warm endorsement: “Barack and I were so honored to have Akunyili Crosby 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!”

Akunyili Crosby, born in Enugu, Nigeria, in 1983 and a MacArthur “Genius” Grant recipient, moved to the United States as a teenager. Her practice explores themes of diaspora, identity, and cultural blending through intricate collages that incorporate Nigerian magazine imagery, family photos, fabrics, and personal ephemera. This high-profile commission further cements her stature in the international art world.

The portrait, executed in acrylic, colored pencils, charcoal, and transfers on paper, draws on a photograph taken by the artist herself and weaves in archival and symbolic elements that connect the Obamas’ legacy to broader histories of art, activism, and community.

The Obama Presidential Center opens to the public this summer, with the artwork serving as a free, publicly accessible centerpiece in the museum lobby. Akunyili Crosby’s vibrant, story-rich approach has drawn praise for its joyful energy and depth, positioning the portrait as both a personal milestone for the Obamas and a celebration of global Black excellence and cultural fusion.