In the past year, the Obama Presidential Center located in Chicago has revealed a selection of artists commissioned to create unique installations for its expansive 19-acre campus. The latest group includes renowned artists such as Mark Bradford, Tyanna J. Buie, Jay Heikes, Carrie Mae Weems, and the collaborative duo Sam Kirk and Dorian.
To date, more than twenty artists have been invited to contribute their work to the center's public spaces, both indoors and outdoors. Notable names already involved in the project include Nick Cave, Jenny Holzer, Spencer Finch, Maya Lin, and Theaster Gates.
"From its inception, the Obama Presidential Center has integrated the arts into its foundation, ensuring creativity permeates every aspect of the campus experience," stated Louise Bernard, co-leader of the center's art program.
Despite facing several delays, the center is slated to open its doors in June 2026, featuring a presidential library, a museum dedicated to Obama's administration, a new branch of the Chicago Public Library, gardens, a playground, and an athletic facility. The campus is designed by Tod Williams Billie Tsien Architects.
The newly announced projects include The City of Broad Shoulders, a wall piece by Mark Bradford, celebrated for his layered and abstract collage style. This installation will rise three stories in the atrium of the museum, which will also house several temporary exhibition spaces and a café.
Tyanna J. Buie's installation will showcase screenprinted visuals that reflect themes of hope, change, and civic engagement, resonating with the core messages of Obama's political journey. Her piece, titled Be the Change!, will be displayed in the Forum building of the OPC, which will also feature Theaster Gates's installation honoring the archives of Ebony and Jet magazines.
Carrie Mae Weems will create a striking photo collage on metallic paper, accompanied by a jazz-inflected sound component. Additionally, Jay Heikes will install bronze stars on an exterior wall, while Sam Kirk and Dorian Sylvain are set to design a mural in the athletic center that pays tribute to the cultural heritage of the South Side.
Barack and Michelle Obama have been closely engaged in the commissioning process, ensuring that each artist aligns with their values and vision for the center. "The shared goal among all artists is to utilize culture as a means to foster dialogue, empathy, and collective empowerment," remarked Shore.