If you haven’t heard of Kehinde Wiley yet, it’s time to get familiar.
Having made the name for himself after painting portraits of LL Cool J, Michael Jackson, Notorious B.I.G., Wiley now will add the biggest name in his collection yet.
The Smithsonian Portrait Gallery (which holds some of Wiley’s previous work) announced that former U.S. President Barack Obama has chosen the artist to paint his official presidential portrait.
Kehinde Wiley is best known for his style presenting modern Black artists in grand settings.
As to former First Lady, Michelle Obama, her portrait will be created by Amy Sherald – renowned for portraying her Black subjects in greyscale against a backdrop of technicolor and in bright clothing.
Both Wiley and Sherald are the first black artists commissioned to make a presidential portrait.
The portraits will be unveiled next year by the National Portrait Gallery in Washington, DC.
