The Obama Foundation :Meet the artists featured at the Obama Presidential Center

 

Throughout the Obama administration, President and Mrs. Obama envisioned the White House as the Peoples’ House. They opened their doors to diverse voices and perspectives, and used art as a way to understand what it means to be human. That spirit lives on at the Obama Presidential Center, which will feature 28 works of commissioned art from a mix of up-and-coming artists and internationally-renowned icons, most of which will be free for the public to view and enjoy. See Art on Campus Rounding out the public art program at the Center are eight newly announced commissions: Rashid Johnson’s Broken Men, a large-scale mosaic drawn from Johnson’s ongoing series of the same name. Njideka Akunyili Crosby’s portrait of President and Mrs. Obama weaves together archival imagery, family albums, historical ephemera, and cultural touchstones. María Magdalena Campos-Pons’s Still Holding the Scent of Flowers is a mixed-media installation depicting the White House Rose Garden. Jeffrey Gibson’s Yet With a Steady Beat, is a wall installation featuring 17 circular prints that reference Gibson’s use of political buttons and drums. Hugo McCloud’s Hidden Reflection is a painting that traces significant locations in President Obama’s life. Martin Puryear’s monumental sculpture, Bending the Arc, draws on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s words about the arc of the moral universe bending toward justice. Lorna Simpson’s Durative depicts painted icescapes set against an expansive sky. Norman Teague’s series of eight inclusively designed wooden benches in the Museum represent an offering to the artist’s South Side roots. Meet the Artists Public arts programming will bring the collection to life with performances, workshops, talks, and partnerships. We’re excited to engage visitors, inspire creativity, and spark meaningful dialogue — ensuring that the art collection is a catalyst for community connection. See us at EXPO CHICAGO And if you’re in Chicago, you don’t have to wait until June to engage with our creative community. The Obama Foundation will be at EXPO CHICAGO all weekend with several of our commissioned artists, offering a first-hand look at the talent helping us shape the Obama Presidential Center. Come say hello, explore the works, and celebrate the power of art. Learn More Contact Us     The Obama Foundation | 5235 ‌S. Harper ‌Ct, Suite ‌1140, Chicago‌, IL,‌ US ‌60615 © 2026 Obama Foundation