BARACK OBAMA UNVEILS HIS OFFICIAL PRESIDENTIAL PORTRAIT PAINTED BY A NIGERIAN KEHINDE WILEY

BARACK OBAMA UNVEILS HIS OFFICIAL PRESIDENTIAL PORTRAIT PAINTED BY A NIGERIAN KEHINDE WILEY

A portrait of former US President Barack Obama, which was painted by a Nigerian-American artist, Kehinde Wiley, has been unveiled on Monday, February 12, 2018

Obama had selected Wiley to paint his official presidential portrait, to be displayed in the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery in Washington, D.C.

Obama, the 44th president of the United States and wife, Michelle, whose portrait was also revealed, were present at the unveiling ceremony held at the National Portrait Gallery in Washington.

“I tried to negotiate less gray hair and Kehinde’s artistic integrity would not allow (him) to do what I asked. I tried to negotiate smaller ears. Struck out on that as well”, Obama joked while speaking at the unveiling.
Obama’s portrait will be permanently stationed at the “America’s Presidents” exhibition and will be available for viewing from February 13.