Nigerian-Born Artist Njideka Akunyili Crosby Unveils First Official Joint Portrait of Barack and Michelle Obama

Nigerian-born contemporary artist Njideka Akunyili Crosby has added another remarkable achievement to her growing legacy after unveiling the first official joint portrait of former U.S. President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama.

The artwork, commissioned for the new Obama Presidential Center in Chicago, was unveiled ahead of the centre's public opening on Juneteenth. The piece will be displayed in the Hope and Change Lobby and forms part of a wider collection of 28 original commissions created for the landmark institution.

Sharing the news on social media, Barack Obama described Crosby as a "gifted Nigerian-born, Los Angeles-based artist" and praised the work for capturing the many chapters of his and Michelle Obama's journey together.

"It was great joining Njideka Akunyili Crosby to unveil our first portrait together," Obama wrote. "This piece reflects so many chapters of Michelle and my story, and we're thrilled that it will be on display in the Hope and Change Lobby at the Obama Presidential Center starting this Juneteenth."

Born in Nigeria and now based in Los Angeles, Crosby is widely celebrated for her richly layered mixed-media works that explore identity, migration, family, and cultural memory. Her distinctive visual language has earned international acclaim, with works housed in some of the world's most prestigious museums and collections.

The commission places Crosby among a select group of artists contributing to one of America's most significant new cultural institutions while further cementing the influence of Nigerian contemporary art on the global stage.

For many Nigerians and Africans across the diaspora, the unveiling represents more than an artistic milestone. It is another powerful example of African talent shaping global culture and contributing to some of the most important stories and institutions of our time.