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From the moment of their unveiling at the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery, Washington, D.C., in February 2018, the official portraits of President Barack Obama and Mrs. Michelle Obama have become iconic.
Kehinde Wiley’s portrait of President Obama and Amy Sherald’s portrait of the former First Lady have inspired unprecedented responses from the public.
This five-city tour travels the United States from June 2021 through May 2022 and is expected to reach millions of people who might not otherwise have an opportunity to view these remarkable paintings. This special presentation enhances the conversations surrounding the power of portraiture and its potential to engage communities. The Obama Portraits Tour is accompanied by a richly illustrated book published by National Portrait Gallery and Princeton University Press.
Other tour locations include the Art Institute of Chicago (June 18–August 15, 2021), Los Angeles County Museum of Art (November 5, 2021–January 2, 2022), High Museum of Art, Atlanta (January 14–March 20, 2022), and Museum of Fine Arts, Houston (April 2–May 30, 2022).
The Obama Portraits Tour has been organized by the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery, Washington, D.C.
The Brooklyn presentation is curated by Jane Dini, Andrew W. Mellon Senior Curator, American Art, and Eugenie Tsai, John and Barbara Vogelstein Senior Curator, Contemporary Art, with Joseph Shaikewitz, Curatorial Assistant, Arts of the Americas and Europe, Brooklyn Museum.
Major support for the Brooklyn presentation is provided by the Brooklyn Museum’s Contemporary Art Committee. Generous support is provided by Regina Aldisert and Saundra Williams-Cornwell and W. Don Cornwell. Additional support is provided by Jane Hartley and Ralph Schlosstein and Sally Susman and Robin Canter.
