The iconic official portraits
of former President Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama — painted by Kehinde Wiley and Amy Sherald, respectively, have lived at the Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery in Washington D.C ever since their unveiling in 2018. Now the paintings are going on tour throughout the country, and you'll have the chance to see them live in person at the Brooklyn Museum — only for the next two months.
The Obama Portraits Tour will be going around 5 cities and will arrive at the Brooklyn Museum from August 27th through October 24th. After Brooklyn, the paintings will go onto the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Atlanta, and Houston over the next six months.
The tour
is an opportunity for audiences in different parts of the country to witness how portraiture can engage people in the beauty of dialogue and shared experiences.
Wiley-the New York-based artist became the first African American artist commissioned by the National Portrait Gallery to paint a presidential couple.
Wiley's oil-on-canvas portrait of the former president uses a backdrop combined with leaves and flowers that are symbolic of Obama's background. Jasmine, in reference to Hawaii where Obama was born and the African blue lilies to represent Kenya (Obama's father's birthplace) and chrysanthemums to represent Chicago (where his political career started).
Don't miss out - The Obama Portraits Tour is at the Brooklyn Museum from August 27th through October 24th.
You can find more ticketing info here.
A portrait of former first lady Michelle Obama at the Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery | Jose Luis Magana/AP/Shutterstock
