Nigerian-Born Artist Njideka Akunyili-Crosby Paints First Official Portrait of Barack and Michelle Obama
Daughter of Late Dora Akunyili Earns Historic Commission for Obama Presidential Centre
Nigerian-born artist and MacArthur Fellow, Njideka Akunyili-Crosby, has achieved a historic milestone after being commissioned to create the first official portrait of former U.S. President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama together for the newly opened Obama Presidential Centre in Chicago.
Akunyili-Crosby, the daughter of Nigeria’s late former NAFDAC Director-General, Dora Akunyili, was selected by the Obama Foundation as part of a prestigious group of internationally acclaimed artists commissioned to create permanent works for the presidential centre.
The monumental artwork, titled “The Obamas: Springing Forth, 2026,” was unveiled on June 14 ahead of the grand opening of the Obama Presidential Centre. The portrait stands more than nine feet tall and ten feet wide and will be displayed in the museum’s Hope and Change Lobby, where visitors can view it free of charge.
According to the Obama Foundation, the portrait weaves together archival imagery, family photographs, historical references, and cultural symbols that reflect the Obamas’ personal lives, political journey, and legacy. The work incorporates Akunyili-Crosby’s signature mixed-media style, blending painting with transferred photographs and layered visual storytelling.
The artist reportedly spent months researching the former first family, studying their books, speeches, interviews, and personal histories to create a portrait that captured both their public achievements and private experiences.
Among the details featured in the artwork are references to Michelle Obama’s childhood home in Chicago, symbols from Barack Obama’s presidency, family memories, books, and cultural touchstones that helped shape their lives and careers.
Reacting to the unveiling, Michelle Obama described the portrait as “beautiful,” praising Akunyili-Crosby’s ability to bring life, joy, and meaning into the piece. Barack Obama also expressed admiration for the work, calling it “fantastic” during the private reveal.
Born in Enugu, Nigeria, and now based in Los Angeles, Akunyili-Crosby is widely regarded as one of the most influential contemporary artists of her generation. Her works often explore themes of identity, migration, family, and the intersection between African and Western cultures.
For many Nigerians, the commission represents another proud moment on the global stage, highlighting the continued impact of Nigerian talent in international art, culture, and public life.
The Obama Presidential Centre officially opens to the public on June 19, 2026, with Akunyili-Crosby’s landmark portrait expected to be one of its major attractions.
