Njideka Akunyili Crosby unveils first joint portrait of the Obamas
Njideka Akunyili Crosby unveiled The Obamas: Springing Forth, the first official commissioned portrait of Barack and Michelle Obama, in the Hope and Change lobby of the Obama Presidential Center. The Nigerian-born, Los Angeles-based artist made the richly layered painting using her signature photo-transfer collage technique, embedding photographs and domestic details that trace chapters of the Obamas' life together. Crosby, a 2017 MacArthur Fellow, put the work on public view starting Juneteenth during the museum's opening week, and the lobby display requires no ticket. The portrait matters because it is the couple's first joint official likeness and places their shared personal and political story at the center of the new presidential center's public spaces.
It was great joining Njideka Akunyili Crosby—a gifted Nigerian-born, Los Angeles-based artist—to unveil our first portrait together. This piece reflects so many chapters of Michelle and my story, and we’re thrilled that it will be on display at the Obama Presidential Center starting this Juneteenth.
GetWisdomDude 186Absolutely Gorgeous Portrait Of Our Most Beloved President Barack Obama and Stunning First Lady, Author, Wife, Mother & Intellect Michelle Obama.
Parity 🦜141This is spectacular! Zoom in on the image to see the detail. It is made of images from the Obamas’ lives. Uplifting and triumphant 🩵💙
Groupvox51Truth, Love and Hope is stronger than any kind of hatred. Thanks for being better than them.
Laura🦋29Absolutely beautiful Mr.& Mrs Obama!!
jojitsu25What a stunning portrait of a stunning couple. Love from the UK.
Darren Ewing22this painting is astounding, mate.❤️
Kim Ibarguen LaPolla20What a wonderful portrait! An amazing piece of art.
armchairprez14Keep rocking that gray Mr. President. You’ve earned that silver crown.
Christian Petersen13Racism, transphobia, misogyny, homophobia, ableism. Trump gave MAGA permission to proudly and loudly show all of their hatred and ignorance. This wave of vileness has spread like a plague across this country. We must put an end to all of it. Decency and empathy will prevail.
dregsfrolics12All class, all the time. Ms. Akunyili Crosby captures you both perfectly. Reflective, thoughtful, confident and able.
Catrinka5612Stunning portrait of a beautiful couple! With so many wonderful details in the background. Congratulations on the opening of the Obama Presidential Center.
Valerie Stewart12That is a beautiful portrait of a classy and gorgeous couple.
Gia Monroe9Stunning art from the very talented artist, Njideka Akunyili Crosby. A beautifully fitting asset for the new Obama Presidential Center. Thank you for sharing. ♥️🤍💙
barbiejo1.bsky.social9We had it good. We had it so good when you were in charge of the USA. We love and miss you and are eternally grateful for you.
🌟 Rose Is Woke 🌟🔮🐳🌺☯️♻️☕️⚖️🌈🗽🌻8I can't wait to visit!💗
12th Dimension8This is what a happily married couple look and act like.
Kainoa8Wow! That is amazing — and all of the cool hidden imagery — simply incredible.
RevKurt8Nice to read a Presidents social post that is articulate and upbeat!!!
Brenda Lynch 🇨🇦8So classy. What a wonderful couple.
skontheisland.bsky.social8It’s beautiful, just beautiful! What a great artist Njideka is! I’ve never been to Chicago but my first trip will be to see the beautiful Obama library. ❤️
Bella8What a fantastic portrait of both of you.
Cynthia Cooper7Gorgeous- my Forever FLOTUS and POTUS 🇺🇸
DavidP7Love it! Thank you for sharing it💜
ladyracer71.bsky.social6The Lady has some real talent, first thought it was a photograph. President Barack Obama; don't listen to the bullshit coming from Fascists in DC--a lot of us adore you & your beautiful "Lady wife"--comments @ the White House last night were putrid--DEFAMATION, when he's gone---SUE HIS FAT ASS
Paula6It’s a beautiful work of art
sgillas6Gorgeous! Wow! She is extremely talented 💙
Wren5It's magnificent. We miss both of you so much.
MagicalMerlin5Beautiful! I miss having a First Family with class!
angb2r.bsky.social5Beautiful couple!! Inside and out!
And yet, here we are5Wow! What a cool piece of art! Beautiful!
Joel Tillman5Looking strong! Thank you, as always, for you and your family teaching the rest of us so much about how to be better human beings.
Shadowwolf _675Now that is a portrait of a real American President and First Lady! I miss the honor, integrity and hope President Obama brought to our nation! The United States use to lead the world. Was respected around the world. Now we have a convicted felon criminal enterprise destroying 250 of freedom!
LeftistJew4I mean, it’s incredible Wow
nurseforlife.bsky.social4Beautiful portrait! The artist is so talented!😍
Antonine4Stunning work- a talented artist captures the dignity and humanity of a great President and First Lady!
Lucky7Deb3How did we get lucky enough to come to know and embrace your wonderful family?! To have you as our beyond wonderful President?! Chicago is now on my to-do list because of the Obama Library - a must see.
CatVanDooh3It portrays a nice balance of power. It reflects President Obama, your devotion to your wife, and her important role in how well our country was stewarded during your leadership. I am sorry to say, you both cannot be quiet and ride off into the sunset, but continue to be a presence. Thank you. 🚬😎
Sharonls3Just perfect 👌. A beautiful representation.
Oxleya100💙3Gorgeous! Intricate and intimate. Lovely portrait of two beautiful people. This will become a masterpiece representing a difficult time in which two peoples claimed a stake in our future and resonated in the minds of the peaceful world. Honor to Njideka Akunyili Crosby for capturing the moment.
Extralife3hey man it's real weird you built a sci-fi prison cube
POSSIBLE EVIDENCE OF CENSORSHIP ON BLUESKY3President Obama, TRUMP is “THE GREATEST 🇺🇸 PRESIDENT EVER” ONLY ifONE measures “GREATNESS “ in terms of THE NUMBER OF A MAN’s DIVORCES, FELONY CONVICTIONS, & BLATANT FREAKING LOW I.Q. LIES! Yet, too many WHITE RACIST PIGS 🐷 think Trump’s an EXEMPLARY “CHRISTIAN ✝️ MAN!”
bingmanc.bsky.social3You never let us down
Urban Carto3I know fuck all about art, but it really seems like they great taste. This and the official portrait by Kehinde Wiley are super cool
Alice Wonders3What a stunningly beautiful portrait!💕
elizabethdj.bsky.social3What a beautiful painting. Thank you.
Eliana2Thank you #President #Obama. Ms. Njideka Akunyili Crosby is a talented #artist! #art #Painting
BluePleiades, Messier (than) 452Masterpiece! But then how could it be any less than that given it's subject matter.
ablohm52.bsky.social2Beautiful! Reminds me of Kehinde Wiley.
Thejanfiles2Beautiful. I know you love America, but if you change your mind and want to start a new country, please let us know.
S Bonshahi2What a beautiful piece of art! So much in there to unpack. I want to know more about it, and see it in person. I’ve long wanted to travel to Chicago (never been), and now it’s definitely made the top 3 on my to-see list. Congratulations on the upcoming opening of the Obama Presidential Center. 💙
lenarstanley.bsky.social2What a joyous and beautiful portrait.
jcs77.bsky.social2What a fantastic pic. Thanks for sharing.🥰❤️
Cali2DC2Beautiful, intelligent, and oozing classy x infinity
Peace2Melanoma’s will be a picture of her naked with another woman or on a pole!
lamiwi.bsky.social2Really beautiful piece of art.
Timothy Brown2As always a class act, I really miss having adults in the WH
Kristen Browne 📎🖇️🌻🐸2Wow, this is an absolutely beautiful portrait! I love all the little details and the mixed-media technique. 🖼️🎨
Today is Michelle Obama Appreciation Day! ✨🌹
Stephen James12That's why he looks at her like this.
Neil9Every day is Michelle Obama Appreciation Day
Inclined9Go for the pockets, a $Billion dollar Defamation lawsuit against UFC and Paramount. Hold them accountable
Julie - 🇺🇦I Stand With Ukraine 🇺🇦7She is so beautiful. I always tear up when I hear her and President Obama speak. They are the epitome of class, courage, compassion, integrity, and intelligence.
Raeann6Gorgeous. And not naked on the internet.🌺
Dawn 🇨🇦🇺🇦🇺🇸🫣5Gorgeous photo, gorgeous woman and a far better human than Josh Hokit who has no idea what a Luddite he is!
still20200.bsky.social5She is so beautiful and a class act
Cyn Pileggi3Our Beloved, Beautiful, Iconic First Lady, Michelle Obama
Jay3Such a beautiful woman, inside and out. 😍💕
DeerDot2Gorgeous. From the inside out. I should hate her for stealing my man, but I could never compete with her.
Artist: Njideka Akunyili Crosby
Angels In Velvet2Oh my goodness. Thank you Ellen for sharing. This is beautiful. Absolutely beautiful portrait of a beautiful couple. I love this. 💙🇺🇸
Matt Quinlivan 2And no gilded, golden garbage to be seen: beautiful.
Patricia Barboni 📎🌊🪷🇺🇸🗽✨🇺🇦🌻 🕊️🌎♻️🚫👑2Beautiful Found Info:The black bust of woman's head in portrait "The Obamas: Springing Forth" is of artist's mother, late Nigerian pharmacist, pharmacologist, & govt leader Dora Akunyili. Painting layered w/archival imagery, snapshots & objects with deep biographical significance to Obamas' pasts.✨🥰
