Smithsonian Channel to debut “Picturing The Obamas” Saturday, September 10

Picturing the Obamas, a documentary about the commissioned portraits of former President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama that enamored the world, will premiere September 10th on the Smithsonian Channel.

About Picturing the Obamas

Viewers will learn from curators, journalists, and art critics about the ways in which President Barack and Mrs. Michelle Obama’s portraits commissioned by the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery disrupt traditional presidential portraiture and spur museums to reach new audiences.

The special will follow the unveiling of the White House portraits of the Obamas.

The portraits of Barack and Michelle Obama

From the moment they were unveiled in 2018, the portraits of Barack and Michelle Obama captivated the world becoming an instant social media sensation and bringing record numbers to the National Portrait Gallery in Washington, DC.

Historical portraits have long been reflections of white men and women in positions of power in their pose and depiction. The Obama portraits are groundbreaking not only because they feature the first Black President and First Lady, but also because of the artists behind them.

The game-changing portraits were created by two Black artists, Kehinde Wiley and Amy Sherald, a first for presidential portraits commissioned for the museum’s collection.

In response to overwhelming audience enthusiasm in DC — the portraits double annual attendance at the National Portrait Gallery — the Obama portraits embarked on a national tour last summer.

With exclusive access, Picturing the Obamas follows the portraits behind-the-scenes as they travel to museums in Chicago, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Houston and Brooklyn.

The film examines the legacy of the first Black president and First Lady through the experiences of everyday people.  The film follows a Latina community organizer, a young artist from Southside Chicago, and multigenerational members of the oldest Black sorority as they visit the portraits and reflect on the meaning of the Obamas today.

Picturing the Obamas provides first-hand accounts from the artists, museum curators, visitors, and the President and First Lady themselves.

The first hour, “Portraits of Hope,” follows the Obama Portraits Tour to Chicago and Los Angeles and examines the significance of both the paintings and the Obama presidency. Viewers will relive the rise of Barack Obama and see how the portraits have fired imaginations across the country.

The second hour, titled “Portraits of Change,” follows the Obama portraits as they make their way to Atlanta, Houston, and Brooklyn.  Artists Kehinde Wiley and Amy Sherald share their experiences collaborating with Barack and Michelle Obama to create their stunning portraits.

“Barack and Michelle Obama continue to inspire individuals and communities nationwide. We are honored to have the opportunity to premiere Picturing the Obamas and explore the cultural impact of their portraits at the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery and this historic presidency,” explained Pamela Aguilar, VP, Content & Programming, Smithsonian Channel.

“When we unveiled the Obamas’ portraits, everyone in the room knew we were witnessing a moment in history,” said Kim Sajet, director, Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery. “But I don’t think anyone anticipated the emotional impact these artworks would ultimately have on so many Americans across the country. Through the power of documentary film, Picturing the Obamas takes us out of the gallery and into communities, reminding us that art is powerful and portraiture can change the world.”

How To Watch

Picturing the Obamas premieres on Saturday, September 10 at 8/7c on the Smithsonian Channel ™.

Picturing the Obamas will be available on https://www.smithsonianchannel.com and the Smithsonian Channel app the next day.