The Obamas: Springing Forth

The artwork

Artist Njideka Akunyili Crosby brings together personal memories and public history in this landmark portrait of President and Mrs. Obama. Using her signature acetone transfer technique, the work incorporates photographs, archival imagery, and meaningful objects that reflect the couple’s lives and experiences. The result is a portrait that honors both the Obamas’ historic achievements and the communities that shaped them.

Location: Museum | Hope and Change Lobby

The artist

Njideka Akunyili Crosby is a painter known for large-scale figurative works that bring together personal imagery, cultural references, and layered materials. Born in Nigeria, she studied at Swarthmore College, the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, and Yale University. Her work often draws on transnational experience, combining elements from different places, histories, and visual traditions.