Beyond Art: The Powerful Significance of The Obamas' Official Portraits

The Takeaway | Feb 12, 2018

The official portraits of former President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama were unveiled on Monday at the National Portrait Gallery in Washington, D.C.

The Obamas, who were known for displaying artwork from black artists in the White House, chose two African-American artists for the commission, a first for presidential portraits.

Baltimore artist Amy Sherald and New York City painter Kehinde Wiley are both known for exploring the politics of race and gender in their works. They each created non-traditional portraits of the Obamas, which were both praised and criticized by observers.

Isolde Brielmaier, a scholar, curator and assistant professor at New York University's Tisch School of the Arts, reflects on these artistic interpretations of the former first family.

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This segment is hosted by Tanzina Vega

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