Late Dora Akunyili’s Daughter Wows the Obamas with Stunning Portrait of Their Journey
Nigerian-born artist Njideka Akunyili Crosby has made history with the unveiling of the first official portrait of former U.S. President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama created together.
The portrait, titled The Obamas: Springing Forth, was unveiled ahead of the opening of the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago and will be permanently displayed in the Center's Hope and Change Lobby, which opens to the public on Juneteenth.
Akunyili Crosby, who was born in Nigeria and is based in Los Angeles, is internationally renowned for her mixed-media works that blend personal history, culture, and identity. For the Obama commission, she spent months researching the former First Couple, studying interviews, books, family photographs, and archival materials to create a deeply personal representation of their lives and legacy.
The large-scale artwork incorporates images from family albums, historical moments, and cultural references that shaped the Obamas' journey. Among the visual elements are references to Michelle Obama's childhood home, significant moments from Barack Obama's presidency, and symbols reflecting their family life and shared experiences.
According to the Obama Foundation, the painting is the first portrait of Barack and Michelle Obama commissioned together and forms part of a broader collection of artworks created for the Obama Presidential Center by artists from diverse backgrounds.
Reacting to the unveiling, Michelle Obama described the work as a reflection of "all of the stories within the story," while Barack Obama praised the artist's creativity and attention to detail.
The Obama Presidential Center officially opens to visitors on June 19 and features a museum, public spaces, educational exhibits, and artworks celebrating leadership, civic engagement, and social change.
For many Nigerians, the unveiling represents another global milestone for Akunyili Crosby, whose work continues to earn international acclaim and spotlight African excellence on the world stage.
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