Artist Theaster Gates will present a new commission for the Obama Presidential Center

The Obama Presidential Center has announced a major new commission by artist Theaster Gates, a Chicago-based visionary known for his dedication to preserving and celebrating Black cultural heritage. The installation will debut in the Center’s Hadiya Pendleton Atrium when the Center opens in 2026, highlighting the enduring legacies of Black Chicago through a monumental public artwork.

Celebrating Black Chicago through art

The new commission anchors the atrium as a landmark space, reflecting the creative power, self-determination, and resilience of Black Chicago communities. Drawing from his ongoing practice of elevating cultural archives, Gates reinterprets historic imagery to create a work that bridges past and present. The installation emphasizes collective memory, community strength, and the visual storytelling that has shaped Chicago’s cultural landscape.

Johnson Publishing Company archives as inspiration

Central to Gates’ artwork is his engagement with the Johnson Publishing Company archives, including images captured by Moneta Sleet, Jr. and Isaac Sutton, as well as photographs from Howard Simmons’ personal collection. By recontextualizing these iconic photographs, Gates highlights moments of dignity, elegance, and everyday life within Black communities. The resulting frieze spans a significant portion of the atrium, offering a powerful visual narrative that honors both history and contemporary creativity.

Theaster Gates’ role and artistic vision

As both an artist and cultural steward, Gates brings decades of experience in transforming archives and everyday materials into dynamic public works. His commitment to community-based projects, such as those developed through his Rebuild Foundation, informs the scale, accessibility, and civic engagement embedded in this commission. Gates’ work at the Obama Presidential Center continues his mission to celebrate Black cultural legacies while creating spaces that inspire reflection, dialogue, and empowerment.

The Obama Presidential Center’s upcoming opening in 2026 will showcase this landmark installation, positioning the arts at the heart of the institution’s mission to connect generations, celebrate shared humanity, and honor the creativity and resilience of Black communities.

Dive into our interview with Theaster Gates, where art meets activism and architecture. In our conversation, we touch on the creative process, archival discoveries and the reshaping of urban communities.