Sneak peek: Artwork at the Obama Presidential Center
Ten more artists have been commissioned to have their work appear at the Obama Presidential Center.
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Ten more esteemed artists have been added to the list of those who will have their work featured across the Obama Presidential Center’s 19 acre campus.
Their installations represent a portion of the Center’s plan to commission more than 25 new artworks — including sculptures, murals, and more.
The arts are a core aspect of the mission of the Obama Presidential Center to inspire, connect, and empower people in Chicago and across the world to work to bring change home to their communities.
Previously, Lindsay Adams, Spencer Finch, Richard Hunt, Maya Lin, and Julie Mehretu had been announced as having work commissioned for the Obama Presidential Center. Here are the 10 artists who were recently announced, along with some details on what they are creating.
Nick Cave & Marie Watt
(Museum | Main Lobby Acoustic Element)
A monumental multimedia textile installation is made with beaded nets embedded with sculptural jingle elements, This Land, Shared Sky merges Indigenous and Black traditions in a celebration of movement, sound, and shared resilience. This work marks the first collaboration between Nick Cave and Marie Watt.
Nekisha Durrett
(Forum | Harriet Tubman Courtyard)
An ambitious freestanding sculpture installed in the Harriet Tubman Courtyard, Hem of Heaven, embodies community, strength, and collective effort. Composed of thousands of handmade, perforated ceramic tiles intricately interwoven, the work offers a vibrant reimagining of Harriet Tubman’s shawl.
Idris Khan
(Museum | Skyroom)
Sky of Hope, an immersive, site-specific painting consisting of thousands of hand-stamped words referencing President Obama’s Selma speech - the same text that is permanently sculpted into the Museum building’s exterior. These words will radiate from the apex of the ceiling to create a contemplative environment that invites reflection on democracy and the power of public voice.
Jenny Holzer
(Museum | Skyroom Vista)
Jenny Holzer is best known for her text-based public art projects. Exploring how language is used both as poetry and as a means of concealment, Holzer has employed a variety of media throughout her career. Holzer attended the University of Chicago, received her BFA from Ohio University in 1972, and her MFA from the Rhode Island School of Design in 1977. She currently lives and works between Brooklyn, NY, and Hoosick Falls, NY.
Kiki Smith
(Museum | Hope & Change Lobby)
Receive is the largest of the artist's bronze sculptures with moon and stars. It celebrates our shared connection to the cosmos, offering hope, orientation, and solace at the heart of the museum.
Jules Julien
(Museum | Level 5 & Civics Gallery)
A digital mural on Level 5 of the Museum Exhibits of eleven thematic illustrations composed of thousands of dots, each symbolizing the journey from individual to collective action and the ripple effect of democratic participation.
Aliza Nisenbaum
(Library | Main Reading Room)
A sweeping mural, Reading Circles/ Weaving Dreams/ Seeding Futures depicts moments of civic life within a public library, offering a living portrait of community in action. Centered on the library as a place of dreaming, storytelling, and shared histories, the work underscores its role as a vital gathering space.
Jack Pierson
(Museum | Entry Pavilion)
A word sculpture spelling HOPE from found letters, referencing Pierson’s iconic use of nostalgic Americana and echoing President Obama’s defining campaign message.
Alison Saar
(Grounds | Women’s Garden)
A towering cast bronze figure inspired by the Statue of Liberty, Torch Song embodies the soul of Chicago’s blues heritage. Raising a gilded flame skyward in song, she becomes a beacon of resistance and truth, igniting viewers to challenge the status quo and expose injustices.
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