I don't get the symbolism of the overgrown plant in Obama's portrait.

[procon]

It looks like he is being consumed as he just sits there passively, immobilized while the plants are taking over. The plant is overtaking his chair, it's wrapped around his legs and creeping around his shoulders like he's being devoured by some sort of alien plant creature. Is this a metaphor for something I've missed, or just artistic license?

[Siwsan]

1. The are flowers from his path in life

They are flowers from Kenya, Hawaii, and Chicago (the chrysanthemum is the 'city flower' of Chicago.)

[Faux pas]

2. They just said

that it's supposed to be Wrigley Field.

[world wide wally]

6. But he is a White Sox fan.

What an insult!

[lunasun]

15. Don't believe everything said on the internet . No mention of cubs in the artist speech

If anyone was going to mention it had to do with cubs it would be the trib
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/politics/ct-obama-portrait-20180212-story.html
A lot of the artist's
work is vivid like the portrait
https://www.brooklynmuseum.org/exhibitions/kehinde_wiley_new_republic/

[procon]

18. And? As the president, there were more important aspects of his life and career. nt

[lunasun]

19. Please see post 15 and become familiar with the artist . Maybe it was a joke . Obama is a Sox fan

[procon]

21. It's Obama's official legacy portrait at the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery.

His "joke" is now a part of history and will be viewed by millions long after the artist is gone.

[brush]

27. It's no joke. The works are spectacular. Both artists are well recognized in the art field...

have won multiple awards and their works are in museums and private collections.

Here's a link to the ceremony. It's well work watching and may change your mind about the portraits: https://www.democraticunderground.com/100210219992

Both of the Obamas speak, as do the artists. It's well worth watching.

Art evolves. These works are not the traditional, stiff and frumpy portraits most expect.

I'm a little disappointed in the many negative responses here on this progressive board. We're supposed to be somewhat open minded.

Pls watch the video.

[RobinA]

37. If Were Progressive

we have to like these portraits? To me Obama looks like a scowling curmudgeon, something I never in a million years saw him look like.

[brush]

38. Oh, pls. "Scowling curmudgeon"? I rest my case.

[procon]

39. Having an open mind means that I tried Haggis once, but I still didn't like it.

I looked at the portraits and I did not like them. I did however like some of Kehinde Wiley's other paintings, just not Obamas'. I found Amy Sherald style primitive and flat, and more about a focus on clothing than people.

If all you can say is that they have "won multiple awards and their works are in museums and private collections," that still does not change my mind. Do allow me, and others, to at least have our differing opinions on the type of art we enjoy, as much allowance as you are given to post your own opinions.

[brush]

42. Pls do have your opinion but maybe research a bit. Amy Sherald mentioned in her remarks...

the patterns in Michelle's dress referenced the Gee's Bend quilters.

Google them.

[procon]

45. Michelle Obama's portrait should not make her look like a clothes horse.

I wanted to see the full depth and breadth of the beautiful, intelligent, gracious and accomplished woman we expect. Instead, I see a clothing ad, and apologists for the artist who are convinced that if only I studied the artist's remarks and digested her statements, read her bio, or cataloged her awards and exhibits, maybe watch her speaking... that would surely be enough to make me like that portrait.

It will not.

[brush]

46. Again you don't have to like it. Michelle does and that's what matters.

[LAS14]

55. Absolutely. Worth listening to. And...

... it needn't change your mind about whether you "like" the art, but it might give you insight into why the Obama's like their artists. And the Obamas are worth our energetic empathy

[LanternWaste]

28. Art history is replete with inside jokes.

Art history is replete with inside jokes (so additional rationalizations and movements of goalposts will likely be required). Kinda thought that was widely known. Maybe not.

[procon]

32. The millionions of visitors who will view those portraits will not be all that

interested in "art history", or insider jokes, but they will know which paintings they like.

Kinda thought that was widely known, too. Maybe not.

[lunasun]

3. Did you listen to the artist speak ?

One of the flowers is a Chrysanthemum for Chicago it's the official flower. There are ones representing Hawaii etc.
I felt the artist was quite good in his presentation of what was portrayed

[LAS14]

4. You couldn't if you weren't watching CSPAN. Stupid cable news doesn't...

.... know what's important.

[lunasun]

7. I don't have cable . I used the link provided on DU

Thank you demmiblue !

[procon]

33. Ok, its a floral still life with a man sitting. Now makes sense. nt

[writerJT]

5. He had to sit for so long, the plant grew around him.

[Wwcd]

17. LOL.. ok that's funny

Appreciate the humor

[The River]

8. Neither Portrait

does justice to their subjects.

[LAS14]

9. "Passively, immobilized."

The artist is known for putting ordinary black people into triumphalist classical settings. Obama explained in his remarks that he didn't want that, hence sitting on an ordinary wooden chair. A good touch. The president of the United States doesn't need to tell us anything except that he's one of us. But I don't agree with "passively, immobile." I think he's electric with energy.

[lunasun]

12. I didn't see that either . It is very vibrant like Obama

It's all in the eye of the beholder I guess...

[BumRushDaShow]

10. If you go to his website

almost all of his portraits are like that. A "background" of plant images (flowering vines) with the subject superimposed on top of that. Pretty unique.

Skinner has examples of both artists here in this thread - https://www.democraticunderground.com/100210219889

[SharonClark]

11. My first thought, as well, Obama looks like he is fading into obscurity.

I hope the National Portrait Gallery has room for a big artist's statement so he can explain the painting.
Portraits should stand on their own.

[LAS14]

14. On CNN the first view of the painting showed him VERY pale, against...

... almost mauve leaves. I was relieved to see on CSPAN that the colors were strong.

[procon]

13. The Twitterverse is not happy. nt

[lunasun]

16. Obamas choice and black artist so I imagine all kinds of unhappy there

https://www.cnn.com/2017/10/16/politics/obama-portraits-kehinde-wiley-amy-sherald/index.html

[procon]

20. Just stop. Artistic style is not a racial issue.

These were official portraits for the Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery, they will memorize the Obamas forever, and it seems that a lot of people were expecting something more in keeping with the Obama's historical legacy.

I actually like some of the tongue in cheek paintings by that artist, Michelle's artist, not so much, but I just think that his style is too campy for that particular formal setting.

[Runningdawg]

22. Hit the nail on the head

[Wounded Bear]

23. Actually, it is...

Artistic style is a reflection and presentation of culture, and in this case a sub-culture. Making Pres Obama look like another dead white guy in his official portrait would be a travesty. I think immediate impressions should be given a bit of time to fade and allow a more nuanced opinion.

[procon]

24. Between black and white there are many shades of grey.

Between one extreme of the other, these portraits should have been better. Making Obama's official portrait look like a cartoon image in a graphic novel is a travesty and does not reflect his dignity.

[LanternWaste]

29. The important thing is you dig in on this

The important thing is you dig in on this, and continue to imply that you alone have the accurate perspective.

I can see why you allege confusion and distatse in regards to the portrait... it allows narratives that may otherwise have remained covered.

[procon]

31. You can appreciate art anyway you like, as will I, and everyone else.

I don't care if you don't like my personal tastes, but do allow me to think for myself rather than merely submitting to your authoritarian streak, yeah?

[brush]

53. "...authoritarian streak"? Pot, meet kettle.

[brush]

43. Agreed. K&R.

You must be in the art field.

[Wounded Bear]

51. Not really...

I mean, I had poetry published in a small mag many years ago that is now out of print, I am sure.

I have, during my life been a story teller for a mythological group for a while, and I love that kind of thing. Ferreting out the symbology and 'meaning' of stories from cultures around the world was very instructive for my own life and my appreciation of various art forms.

As for the Obama painting? It hit me a bit deeper than some around here, obviously. I didn't listen to the artist talk about it, but I do think there is something more there than just "cartoon" caricatures.

[brush]

54. Wise words. I appreciate you perspective.

[Kablooie]

25. I don't think these will age well.

They are too much about the artists and not about the subjects.
That kind of painting doesn't belong in a portrait gallery.

A portrait gallery should be a way to meet the person, not meet the artist.

I'm afraid there will be a lot of laughing at them in the coming decades.
It's really a shame.
That's certainly not what they deserve.

[LAS14]

30. Interesting, thoughtful response.

It's clear that these portraits, particularly Michelle's, take a lot of educating. And you're right about them maybe being about the artist. What I learned in all this discussion, and listening to all the remarks this morning, is that the Obama's liked what the artists were about.

[Kablooie]

50. I assumed the Obama's liked them but..

still I think they were the wrong artists for a portrait gallery.

They would be fine as alternative portraits in a gallery but as official portraits that are supposed to stand the test of time so that in 100 years people can get a little of the feeling that they have met and know a little something about the subject, they are entirely deficient.

[Eliot Rosewater]

26. It could be a stark nothing background, no color, no flowers, no nothing

and the sight of him or his wife will still give me a moment of peace and serenity.

Wont last long, but it's there, and I can feel it.

[procon]

40. I'd rather have that, too, than one where the man is being overrun by vegetation. nt

[Eliot Rosewater]

41. I did NOT say rather, I said "could", I LIKE this background.

[brush]

44. The "vegetation" is part of O's history. The flower of Chicago, a Hawaiian plant and a Kenyan plant.

I thought you posted before that you had watched the video of the revealing ceremony?

That was explained by the artist.

[procon]

47. The subject of a portrait is the person, not the overgrown background.

The artist missed the mark on this one by letting his signature style overwhelm the painting. The portrait is an epic fail if the casual viewer has to have to artist's intention explained. That's no longer art, it's a book report.

Now, on the other hand, if I owned a florist shop, I might use that image in an ad.

[brush]

48. You still don't get it. Obama picked that artist for his style. He likes it. You don't have to.

[procon]

49. I'm so relieved to have your permission to continue not liking that portrait. nt

[NCTraveler]

34. Just horrible paintings.

Not that it matters much. The brilliance of Pete Souza will keep the Obama's image preserved beautifully throughout time. Souza and the Obamas have given me so many beautiful images of a family I have so much respect for. I won't be forced to stare at these paintings and they won't be killing anyone like the Republicans are currently doing.

[Atman]

35. It appears to be just part of the artist's style.

Check out some of the other portraits he's done. All have very colorful, ornate, floral/pattern backgrounds. Same with Michelle's portrait...the artist's other works tend to feature similarly flat, one-color backgrounds. These portraits certainly could have come of much of surprise given that they previewed the artists and selected them themselves.

[LAS14]

36. I find them very interesting, especially in Michelle's case. Maybe...

.... she isn't always smiling. Maybe what's going on in this country distresses her.

[3catwoman3]

52. The expressionless look on Mrs. Obama's portrait reminds...

...me of this foamy portrait photoshop fail -

ttps://mymodernmet.com/hilarious-bad-photoshop/