Soon one of Kehinde Wiley's iconic portraits will hang amongst presidents past in the Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery in Washington DC. The queer, black artist best known for his flower-strewn paintings of street subjects, has been commissioned to paint Barack Obama's official presidential portrait for the gallery, according to The Wall Street Journal.
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Baltimore-based artist Amy Sherald, known for her minimalist depictions of black Americans, will paint former First Lady Michelle Obama's accompany portrait to hang besides other former first spouses.
Even beyond his two history-making terms in office, Barack Obama continues to inspire and give voice to the communities he did so much for as president. See Wiley's work here, and imagine Obama immortalized with attention to the stark shadows of his character, in the foreground of a regally floral backdrop. And envision Michelle, a woman who redefined the role of FLOTUS, as one of Sherald's understated and captivatingly beautiful subjects. We miss you, Obamas.
