Theaster Gates to Craft Monumental Celebration of Black Beauty at Obama Center
The Obama Presidential Center in Chicago’s South Side is set to open in the spring, introducing a series of significant artworks. Among them is a monumental portrait by Theaster Gates that celebrates Black life, with a focus on Black women. This artwork will be displayed inside the Forum Building, which hosts public events and is named after Hadiya Pendleton, a teenager killed by gun violence shortly after participating in President Obama’s second inauguration parade.
Theaster Gates’ Artistic Vision
The artwork by Theaster Gates will feature images sourced from the archives of Ebony and Jet magazines, two historic publications that captured Black culture and dignity after World War II. The frieze will consist of approximately 20 images printed on aluminum alloy, making them visible to both visitors and passersby along Stony Island Avenue, a notable thoroughfare rich in cultural history.
Gates has been the custodian of these archives since the Johnson Publishing Company, the creator of these magazines, ceased operations in 2016. He continues to draw inspiration from this archive in his art, emphasizing how these photographs serve as foundational representations of Black life.
Collaborative Efforts and Community Engagement
The Obama Presidential Center is dedicated to highlighting the contributions of artists from diverse backgrounds, particularly during a time of social upheaval. Virginia Shore, the center’s curator of art commissions, noted the importance of Gates’ work in showcasing the power of Black modernity. Former President Obama has been actively involved in selecting the commissioned artists.
- Other participating artists include Nick Cave, Jenny Holzer, and Kiki Smith.
- Julie Mehretu will create a unique 83-foot-tall stained glass window.
- Collaborations will feature multimedia installations incorporating sound, textiles, and cultural traditions.
Louise Bernard, the director of the museum, highlighted the role of art in fostering community engagement and inspiring visitors to see themselves as drivers of change. The Obama Presidential Center aims to create a space where art activates discourse and reflects on democratic progress.
Pioneering Efforts in Cultural Preservation
For Gates, this commission represents an opportunity to further his practice. He is committed to preserving cultural collections, including 60,000 glass lantern slides and various artifacts representing Black history. His efforts serve to counter false narratives and celebrate the contributions of Black and brown individuals throughout American history.
Gates remarked on the importance of remembering the legacy of Black culture, stating, “How we understand American progress has everything to do with the contributions of all people — but especially the contributions of Black and brown people.”
As the Obama Presidential Center prepares for its opening, the integration of powerful artistic works promises to enrich the cultural narrative, emphasizing the significance of Black beauty and the stories that shape America’s heritage.
