Through the presentation of these now-iconic works by Wiley and Sherald, the exhibition contemplates how portraiture has given visual form to ideas of Black power, identity, status, and legacy throughout history.
“Kehinde Wiley’s portrait of former President Barack Obama and Amy Sherald’s portrait of former First Lady Michelle Obama are groundbreaking American portraits that speak to the sense of hope and possibility that the Obamas inspire,” remarked Tom Campbell, Director, and CEO of the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco.
The “Celebrating Black Art, Fashion, and Activism: Past, Present, Future” event was part of the museum’s promise to increase diversity and inclusion throughout its programming. Coming off the heels of George Floyd’s murder and civil unrest, Campbell pledged to update their strategic plans for the next several years by evolving the Fine Arts Museums into an anti-racist institution as their top objective.
Campbell’s vision was to become a leader in redefining the 21st-century museum as a forum that stimulates community conversations and explorations by applying inclusive and diverse perspectives to our collections and the histories they embody, presenting them in ways that are equitable and accessible.