The Hidden Political Message of Michelle Obama’s Portrait Dress

Politico ^ | February 13, 2018 | By KIMBERLY CHRISMAN-CAMPBELL 3

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While the official portraits of Barack and Michelle Obama unveiled Monday were applauded by the art world—for their intense visual impact as much as the choice of Kehinde Wiley and Amy Sherald, artists who are both critical darlings and the first African-Americans to paint presidential portraits commissioned by the National Portrait Gallery—there was plenty for the Twitterati to snark about. The wall of greenery behind President Obama was an obvious opening for jokes about his history with marijuana and Sean Spicer hiding in the White House bushes. Criticism of Michelle Obama’s portrait centered around two points. The face didn’t look much like her; some suggested it more closely resembles Kerry Washington, who plays a high-powered White House operative on Scandal. And the face—whoever it belonged to—was overshadowed by the striking, floor-length dress.

But there’s a reason for both of those criticisms: The dress is what says the most in this portrait, far more than the indistinct face.

First, the criticism about the lack of resemblance to the former first lady comes as no surprise to those of us familiar with the work of Sherald, a Baltimore-based artist. While she is best known for her stylized portraits of African-American women, they aren’t really portraits they depict anonymous subjects, under evocative titles contrasting grayscale skin tones against colorful clothing and a monochrome background. The neutral palette challenges racial stereotypes, while the flat plane evokes American folk art, At the unveiling, Sherald described the composition as “the act of Michelle Obama being her authentic self”—suggesting that she was aiming for something more than a mere superficial resemblance.

Secondly, there’s a reason why Obama’s face is the least interesting element here: The dress is as much a window into the former first lady’s identity as her face, and possibly a more accurate one.

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Gag worthy article about the Empress's New Racial Clothes

But Obama and Smith share more than a first name. Few designers, especially those with Smith’s mass-market appeal, have been as outspoken in their opposition to Trump as Smith. In November 2017, Smith told Teen Vogue: “What I had felt to be an extraordinary triumph for equality—the election of an African-American president—was my children’s normal.

Gay marriage and LGBTQ equality was their normal. Their generation, I had often thought, is where the real shift in equality and human rights will take place. I had easily assumed their next ultimate role model would be a female president. I was wrong. . . . All the rights I had sadly taken for granted . . . now felt threatened. I had to do something.”

[Cowboy Bob]

Why does Michelle have a tiny head?

[Steve_Seattle]

"Why does Michelle have a tiny head?"

And Barry, such large hands. Michelle's arms look like they would reach to her knees.

[upchuck]

FReeper FrankR nailed it:

[GSWarrior]

Her dress looks like a Yes album cover.

[dfwgator]

Her dress looks like a Yes album cover.

As long as it doesn't look like an Ohio Players album cover.

[Steve_Seattle]

"Her dress looks like a Yes album cover."

It looks so large that, if she stood up, their would be two or three feet of it bunched up on the floor.

[dainbramaged]

The Bamster’s gigantic left hand has an extra finger, too.

[csvset]

[ctdonath2]

“Why does Michelle have a tiny head?”

Who’s “Michelle”? As the article notes, the lady depicted is deliberately anonymous. Sure doesn’t look like Michelle Obama, at least beyond only the most vague & passing resemblance.

[Steve_Seattle]

Are the other portraits in the gallery that large? Judging by the chairs off to the side, the portraits look about ten feet tall.

[Jane Long]

The comments, at link, require FB (of which I am not a member).

I’d like to ask these sycophants why do they suppose the author of this ‘glowing’ article failed to mention the fact that this Mooch artist is known for painting depicting BLACK women holding the decapitated heads of WHITE women.

Hmmmmm....I wonder why no one at Polutico is discussing that.

[PGR88]

[dfwgator]

LOL, that’s not what I meant.

[Political Junkie Too]

Or Whipped Cream.

-PJ

[NorthMountain]

While the official portraits of Barack and Michelle Obama unveiled Monday were applauded by the art world

There's a damning indictment of the "art world".

[NorthMountain]

First, the criticism about the lack of resemblance to the former first lady comes as no surprise to those of us familiar with the work of Sherald

Right. She's incompetent, and you all know it. You're just too damned cowardly to say so. Instead, you spew endless torrents of bovine fecal matter, in a failed attempt to sound sophisticated.

[Steve_Seattle]

"There's a damning indictment of the "art world"."

Was there ever any doubt? Anything "Obama" - no matter how mediocre, poorly done, or garish - will be praised to the hilt by the left-wing intelligentsia.

[upchuck]

Other questions:

- Why does nobama appear to have an extra finger on his left hand?

- Why does nobama appear to have a sperm on the side of his head?