Kehinde Wiley’s and Amy Sherald’s unconventional portraits of President Obama and former First Lady Michele Obama drew a strong reaction. In the time since their reveal, they have inspired nearly as much criticism as praise, even – and sometimes especially – from the Obamas’ staunchest admirers. What do the portraits mean to you? Come join us for an engaging Community Conversation about their artistic, historical, and political meaning and significance.

Professor Kim Miller (art history and women’s and gender studies), Professor Tripp Evans (art history), and Provost Renee White will kick off the discussion, each of them speaking briefly about the portraits’ historical and art historical context(s), and the questions these images raise about depictions and understandings of power, race, and gender.