Michelle and Barack Obama unveiled their official portraits today at the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery. They had two African-American artists do the portraits making this is the first time black artists have been commissioned to paint portraits of a former president and first lady. These portraits are a result of what happens when you choose diversity over who is the best person for the job. Ouch!
SOCIAL JUSTICE PAINTER
The former first lady’s painting was done by Baltimore artist Amy Sherald, who is known for her social justice painting style. link to Obamas’ official portraits unveiled @CNNPolitics http://cnn.it/2BqLKLh
The former president chose Kehinde Wiley, a Yale University-trained painter famous for his depiction of African-Americans posed in the style of Old Master paintings, regal, formal and filled with pops of color.
When the portraits were unveiled, it became clear to everyone that these weren’t the usual portraits you’d see of a president and first lady. In fact, the audience gasped when Michelle Obama’s portrait was unveiled. Twitter was on fire with criticism FROM THE LEFT:
Obama Portrait Artist Also Painted Black Women Holding Severed White Heads
