Sneak peek: Artwork at the Obama Presidential Center

Ten more artists have been commissioned to have their work appear at the Obama Presidential Center.

Ten more esteemed artists have been added to the list of those who will have their work featured across the Obama Presidential Center’s 19 acre campus.

Their installations represent a portion of the Center’s plan to commission more than 25 new artworks — including sculptures, murals, and more. 

​​The arts are a core aspect of the mission of the Obama Presidential Center to inspire, connect, and empower people in Chicago and across the world to work to bring change home to their communities.

Previously, Lindsay Adams, Spencer Finch, Richard Hunt, Maya Lin, and Julie Mehretu had been announced as having work commissioned for the Obama Presidential Center. Here are the 10 artists who were recently announced, along with some details on what they are creating. 

The image is a photographed portrait of Nick Cave. The background of the image is a dark gray backdrop. Nick has a deep skin tone, a short gray mohawk, and a gray goatee. He is wearing a black and blue patterned suit jacket and a blue shirt underneath.
Credit: Photo by Sandro Miller
The image is a photographed portrait of Marie Watt. Marie is standing in a room with a white wall backdrop behind her. She is staring into the camera. She has a deep olive complexion and brownish red hair that falls to her shoulders. She is wearing black framed glasses and square earrings with a pattern inside them. The earrings also have tassels hanging off the ends of them. Marie is wearing a black tshirt that reads “Dream like Billy, Lead like Wilma, Fight like Russell, Think Like Vine, Write Like Sherman, Build Like Suzan, Speak Like N. Scott, Educate Like Winona, Believe Like Jim, Challenge Like Jon.” Each of the people referenced are Indigenous leaders, activists, and educators. She is wearing dark denim jeans.
Credit: Photo by Sam Gehrke

Nick Cave & Marie Watt

(Museum | Main Lobby Acoustic Element)

A monumental multimedia textile installation is made with beaded nets embedded with sculptural jingle elements, This Land, Shared Sky merges Indigenous and Black traditions in a celebration of movement, sound, and shared resilience. This work marks the first collaboration between Nick Cave and Marie Watt.

A material study for This Land, Shared Sky, an innovative collaboration with Marie Watt and Nick Cave that will be featured in the Obama Presidential Center Museum. Photo courtesy of Mario Gallucci.
he image is a photographed portrait of Nekisha Durrett. The image is in black, white, and greyscale tones. Nekisha has a deep complexion and light colored hair that is falls in waves around the nape of her neck. She is wearing hoop earrings and a white collared shirt with a embroidered design.
Credit: Photo by Grace Roselli, Pandoras BoxX Project

Nekisha Durrett

(Forum | Harriet Tubman Courtyard)

An ambitious freestanding sculpture installed in the Harriet Tubman Courtyard, Hem of Heaven, embodies community, strength, and collective effort. Composed of thousands of handmade, perforated ceramic tiles intricately interwoven, the work offers a vibrant reimagining of Harriet Tubman’s shawl.

A rendering of Nekisha Durrett’s piece Hem of Heaven, celebrating the legacy of Harriet Tubman. The art installation will be featured in the Harriet Tubman Courtyard on the Obama Presidential Center campus.
The image is a photographed portrait of Idris Khan. The image is in grey scale. The background of the image is a dark wall. Idris is standing with his arms folder across his chest, staring into the camera. He has a light complexion, short dark hair, and a light colored five-o-clock shade on his face. He is wearing a dark colored button-down shirt with a color. The shirt has a pocket on the left side and white buttons.
Credit: Photo by Mario Vivanco

Idris Khan

(Museum | Skyroom)

Sky of Hope, an immersive, site-specific painting consisting of thousands of hand-stamped words referencing President Obama’s Selma speech - the same text that is permanently sculpted into the Museum building’s exterior.  These words will radiate from the apex of the ceiling to create a contemplative environment that invites reflection on democracy and the power of public voice.

A rendering of Idris Khan’s upcoming piece, Sky of Hope. The piece will be featured on the ceiling of the Sky Room, located on the top floor of the Obama Presidential Center Museum.
The image is a photographed portrait of Jenny Holzer. The image is in black and white. Jenny has a pale complexion and long dark hair. She is looking off into the distance and touching her hair with her left hand. She is wearing a black jacket with a silver zipper that is zipped up to her neck.
Credit: Photo by Nanda Lanfranco

Jenny Holzer

(Museum | Skyroom Vista)   

A richly layered text-based painting draws from FBI files on the Civil Rights-era Freedom Riders, who expanded the freedoms of African Americans to travel through the United States and legitimized the use of nonviolent direct action. Holzer transforms instruments of surveillance into a memorial to their remarkable courage and achievement.

The image is a photographed portrait of Kiki Smith. Kiki has a light olive complexion and long gray hair. She is standing outside in a field, her face is partially obscured by pink flowers hanging from the right side of the image. She is wearing a black shirt.
Credit: Photo by Judy Dryland

Kiki Smith

(Museum | Hope & Change Lobby) 

Receive is the largest of the artist's bronze sculptures with moon and stars. It celebrates our shared connection to the cosmos, offering hope, orientation, and solace at the heart of the museum. 

An in progress look at Kiki Smith’s work on Receive, a signature element that will be featured in the Hope & Change lobby of the Obama Presidential Center Museum.
The image is a photographed portrait of Jules Julien. He is sitting with his right leg slightly bent underneath him on the edge of a green corduroy couch with brown pillows. On the wall behind Jules are several art pieces of different sizes and shapes. Sitting on the floor next to Julien is an indoor white plant holder with a light. There is a green plant sitting within the plant holder. Next to the plant holder are three books stacked vertically. Jules has a medium olive complexion and closely cropped dark hair. He is wearing clear rimmed glasses, a black t-shirt, blue denim jeans, and white sneakers.
Credit: The Obama Foundation

Jules Julien

(Museum | Level 5 & Civics Gallery)

A digital mural on Level 5 of the Museum Exhibits of eleven thematic illustrations composed of thousands of dots, each symbolizing the journey from individual to collective action and the ripple effect of democratic participation.

The image is a photographed portrait of Aliza Nisenbaum. Aliza is sitting in a black chair that is partially obscured in a room with a white wall. Alize has an olive complexion and long dark curly hair. She is smiling at the camera. She is wearing a small dark necklace and a dark colored button-down shirt.
Credit: Photo by Naima Green

Aliza Nisenbaum

(Library | Main Reading Room)

A sweeping mural, Reading Circles/ Weaving Dreams/ Seeding Futures depicts moments of civic life within a public library, offering a living portrait of community in action. Centered on the library as a place of dreaming, storytelling, and shared histories, the work underscores its role as a vital gathering space.

A look at Aliza Nisenbaum’s work Reading Circles/ Weaving Dreams/ Seeding Futures which will be featured in the Chicago Public Library Branch on the Obama Presidential Center Campus.
The image is a photographed portrait of Jack Pierson. Behind Jack is a white wall. Jack is staring into the camera. He has an olive complexion, short light colored hair, and a goatee. He is wearing a dark colored sweater.
Credit: Photo by Omer Ben

Jack Pierson

(Museum | Entry Pavilion)

A word sculpture spelling HOPE from found letters, referencing Pierson’s iconic use of nostalgic Americana and echoing President Obama’s defining campaign message.

The image is a photographed portrait of Alison Saar. Alison is standing in her studio with elements of her art piece "Torch Song" in the background. Allison has a light olive complexion and long grey hair. She is wearing a checkered dark shirt with buttons down the front.
Credit: Photo by Maddy Inez

Alison Saar

(Grounds | Women’s Garden)

A towering cast bronze figure inspired by the Statue of Liberty, Torch Song embodies the soul of Chicago’s blues heritage. Raising a gilded flame skyward in song, she becomes a beacon of resistance and truth, igniting viewers to challenge the status quo and expose injustices.

A behind the scenes look at Alison Saar’s Torch Song which will be displayed in the Women’s Garden on the Obama Presidential Center campus.

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