Former United States President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama have unveiled a new portrait created by Nigerian-American artist Njideka Akunyili-Crosby for the Obama Presidential Centre in Chicago.
Michelle Obama shared the artwork on X, alongside a video showing the unveiling of the portrait by Akunyili-Crosby.
The piece was commissioned for the Obama Presidential Centre, a museum, library, and educational facility dedicated to preserving the legacy of Barack Obama.
The centre is scheduled to open to the public on June 19.
In her reaction, Michelle Obama praised the artist’s interpretation and the emotional depth reflected in the work.
“Barack and I were so honored to have @AkunyiliCrosby 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!” she said.
Barack Obama also responded warmly, describing the portrait as impressive and well-executed, adding that it “looks fantastic”.
Speaking on her creative process, Akunyili-Crosby explained that she immersed herself in extensive research before beginning the work.
“We read all your books and listened to all your interviews, podcasts, and videos. My whole studio got to know you.
”I wanted to make decisions that tapped into those memories so it would feel familiar,” she said.
Akunyili-Crosby, a Nigerian-American visual artist, is widely regarded as one of the leading contemporary artists of her generation.
She is the daughter of the late Dora Akunyili, former Director-General of Nigeria’s National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC).
Her work has received international recognition, including a place on the Financial Times’ Women of the Year list in 2016 and the MacArthur Fellowship (Genius Grant) in 2017.
She has also exhibited extensively in the United States, with works exploring themes of Nigerian identity, memory, and culture.
