American artist Julie Mehretu, known for her large-scale works, will install an 83-foot-tall piece titled Uprising of the Sun at the new Obama Presidential Center in Chicago. The work, which will be unveiled at the Center in 2026, commemorates the 50th anniversary of the Selma marches and weaves together inspirations from three black artists to honor Chicago's history and cultural diversity. To create the piece, Mehretu will draw on the works of three significant black artists: 19th century American landscape painter Robert S. Duncanson, American modernist Jacob Lawrence, and Ethiopian glass artist Afewerk Tekele. Mehretu will weave together images by these artists in a way that pays homage to Chicago's history - always hoping that her installation will be both a reflection on historical context and an inspiration for future possibilities, embodying the spirit of the Obama Presidential Center as a space of growth and creativity.

Since August last year, the Pinakothek der Moderne in Munich has been presenting a major new acquisition by Julie Mehretu, made possible by PIN. Especially in view of Mehretu's current commission for the renowned Obama Presidential Center, we are delighted that PIN. has paved the way for the artist to come to Munich.

HERE: Barack Obama about Julie Mehretu