Obamas Transform White House Art

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            Alma Thomas’ “Sky Light”, 1973

The Obamas have put a call out to galleries, museums, and private collectors that they want to borrow modern art by African American, Asian, Hispanic, and female artists for the White House. This is a drastic change from the 19th century portraits and still lifes that currently hang in the White House’s public rooms.

A White House spokesman says the Obamas enjoy all types of art but want to “round out the permanent collection” and “give new voices” to modern American artists of all races and backgrounds.

The overhaul is sending ripples through the art world. The Obama’s art choices could affect the profiles and market values of the artists they decided to display.

Recently, the first family installed seven works on loan from the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden in Washington in the White’s House’s private residence. Two of the works are abstracts, “Sky Light” and “Watusi”, by African American artist Alma Thomas.

The Obamas future plans include borrowing works by William H. Johnson’s, modernist Beauford Delaney and abstract expressionist Franz Kline.