Former President Barack Obama and wife, Michelle Obama, celebrated the unveiling of their official portraits at the National Portrait Gallery on Monday, as the nation observed the latest art installations.
The Washington D.C. event commemorating the Obama family's time in the White House marks the first time that black artists were commissioned to work on the presidential works.
Artist Amy Sherald worked on the portrait of the former first lady, while Kehinde Wiley presented his floral composition of the 44th U.S. commander in chief.
See the presidential portraits and other images from the momentous unveiling:
Michelle Obama took the time on stage to thank those who laid the groundwork before her, including her own parents. Michelle Obama's mother, Marian Robinson, was present at the event.
"I'm also thinking about all the young people, particularly girls and girls of color, who in years ahead will come to this place and they will look up, and they will see an image of someone who looks like them hanging on the wall," Michelle Obama said.
"As we see today, we still have a lot more work to do," she added. "But we have every reason to be hopeful and proud."
Artist Amy Sherald says she saw influences of Piet Mondrian and the Gee's Bend quiltmakers in the dress the former first lady is wearing in the image, designed by Michelle Smith.
Sherald thanked the first lady during her remarks, saying, "Thank you for bringing light and clarity to my journey."
Former President Obama thanked Sherald for "so spectacularly capturing the grace and beauty and intelligence and charm and hotness of the woman I love," before joking about the experience of working with Kehinde Wiley on his own portrait.
Obama said he requested less grey hair and smaller ears but was rejected due to Wiley's "artistic integrity."
Obama also nodded to former White House aides present in the audience, saying, "We miss you guys. We miss the way you carried yourselves." Shouts of "We miss you too!" echoed back.
Obama spoke on politics as well, saying it's not about "celebrating the high and the mighty and expecting that the country unfolds from the top down, but rather that it comes from the bottom up."
He also spoke of the similarities between himself and artist Wiley, saying, "Both of us had American mothers who raised us...and African fathers who were absent from our lives."
Wiley explained the floral backdrop for Obama's portrait, noting it symbolizes Obama's background influences of Chicago, Kenya and Indonesia that shape the man he is today.
"The ability to be first African-American painter to paint the first African-American president...it doesn't get any better than that," Wiley stated.
The portraits are great and the Obamas are still a handsome couple. And very gracious too. He never openly criticizes the present administration. Michelle should run for Prez. alongside Oprah. What a team they would make.
ReplyDeleteLove Shadow.
Obama said Michelle portrait was hot . I think they are a handsome couple and gracious ...
ReplyDeleteAt least Obama is not grabbing pussies and very polite . Oprah would have all the ladies on her side ... Obama has made it clear Michelle will not run . Michelle / Oprah would make a good team .
Love Witchy