Obama Family Collection

In the Age of Re-creation

Art collecting is the art of parleying dollars into high-brow prestige, it is the art of patronage that is purported to have opened the gates of heaven to the wildly earthly wealthy such as the powerful Medici Family of the Italian Renaissance.

The Obamas patronage is not so much to buy their salvation but to harness imagery in the age of information. They understand the power of Art to transform the viewing public. This is why they partnered with "street artist" propagandist Shepard Fairey to create the now famous winning poster.




Lincoln's Long Looks

First Lady has been spotted at all the right fine art venues studiously taking in whatever contemporary art has to offer these days. But the bulk of their collection is actually quite safe consisting of blue-chip works and stuff they acquired through the years.




Pow-Wow-America

In the early years of collecting, the Obamas focus was on accessing works to build a foundation of historical art that represented their love of country. But without the guiding eye of credentialed curators, their collection laked cohesion, spark and that "i don't know what" that makes great collections like the Rubell Family Collection so important to art critics.



Word

Being of sharp mind and discerning taste, the Obama's soon got on the proper and predictable path to prestige and began to buy blue-chip artists such as the wordy works of pal Ed Rusha.



Looks for Sale

Here is a classic photo of the artist... looks go a long way in the art of schmoozing prospective patrons, and Ed was a looker.




The Antique Chanel

This old piece has been in the Obama Family Collection for two generations. Michelle found it in the attic in Hawaii and is having it appraised.



Old as Mold

President Obama has been caring these two weird things around for years, they are his "good luck with the ladies charm"



Innocence Lost

Even the first girls are in on the action. Here is a painting by Malia that sold for 25,000 at her recent show in a D.C. Gallery.




Art's First Cousin Fashion

Sasha has been dabbling in Fashion Design and is inspired by the Huxtables of Cosby Show fame. I think their rather good.




De-acquisitions

Stuff they want to get rid off.




Buyers Remorse

This was purchased at the suggestion of a curator no longer in favor. With the auction houses in a quagmire and saudi collectors focused elsewhere, this portrait of the butcher of baghdad has been shopped around and now hard to move.



Waiting List

Here are a few artwork the Obama's are trying to acquire.





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