The Obama Portraits Tour Comes to LACMA

Joe Garza | Editor December 7, 2021

1 minute read

(LA Trend) — Ever since they were unveiled for the public to view at the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery in February 2018, the museum’s official portraits of President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama have become iconic images in modern American culture. Kehinde Wiley’s portrait of President Obama and Amy Sherald’s portrait of the former First Lady have inspired unprecedented responses from the public typically unheard of regarding depictions of political figures.

Now through May 2022, because of their popularity, these portraits will embark on a five-city tour, traveling to the Art Institute of Chicago; the Brooklyn Museum; the High Art Museum; The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston; and the Los Angeles Museum of Contemporary Art. Because of this tour, the portraits can be seen by countless audiences who may not otherwise have had an opportunity to view them.

To celebrate this momentous exhibition stop, the LACMA presentation of The Obama Portraits Tour will also be accompanied by teacher workshops, curatorial tours, and a richly illustrated book, all of which are designed to enrich the conversations surrounding the power of portraiture and its potential to inspire communities.

If you’d like to be alerted about ticket on-sale dates, ticket availability, opportunities for free access, and other related public programs, click here to sign up for email updates.

The Obama Portraits Tour is presented in conjunction with Black American Portraits, and are presented in adjacent galleries, both of which are included in General Admission.