Julie Mehretu’s latest commission, an 83-foot glass window at the Obama Presidential Center, follows her acclaimed design of the BMW 20th Art Car, showcasing her unique talent for blending art with social dialogue across diverse platforms, from race tracks to public institutions. (Photo: Courtesy of The Obama Foundation)
Tadias Magazine
By Tadias Staff
Updated: September 10th, 2024
New York (TADIAS) — Building on her recent triumph with the BMW Art Car, Julie Mehretu, the Ethiopian-American artist and activist, has made another monumental mark—this time at the Obama Presidential Center Museum in Chicago. The museum, which aims to inspire visitors and the local South Side community, now features Mehretu’s striking new work: an 83-foot-tall painted glass window titled “Uprising of the Sun.”
Commissioned by the Obama Foundation, Mehretu’s piece comprises 35 abstract glass panels that vividly reflect on President Obama’s legacy, drawing inspiration from his remarks at the 50th anniversary of the Selma-to-Montgomery marches. “Uprising of the Sun” is designed to provoke thought and reflection, using a mix of hand-painting, airbrushing, and glass techniques in collaboration with Franz Mayer Studio.
President Obama praised Mehretu’s contribution, emphasizing the significance of her work in creating a transformative public space that invites diverse voices and fosters community engagement. Mehretu, whose career has been marked by socially conscious themes and dynamic visual narratives, views this installation as a story of change, welcoming people from all backgrounds to connect with the mission of the Obama Presidential Center.
“Uprising of the Sun” is Julie Mehretu’s first work in glass. (Photo: Courtesy of The Obama Foundation)
Photo of the Obama Foundation Museum Building’s 83-Foot Tall Painted Glass Window by Artist Julie Mehretu. (Courtesy of The Obama Foundation)
Julie Mehretu’s vision, a striking addition to the Obama Presidential Center, aims to inspire both visitors and the South Side community with its powerful public art display. (Courtesy of The Obama Foundation)
This new commission comes on the heels of Mehretu’s celebrated design of the BMW 20th Art Car, a collaboration that underscored her unique ability to bridge art with social dialogue, from race tracks to public institutions. Now, with “Uprising of the Sun,” Julie Mehretu continues to expand her artistic reach, connecting communities from Chicago to Addis Ababa and inspiring a global audience.
Uprising of the Sun: Julie Mehretu’s 83-Foot Glass Window Captured in Photos
Uprising of the Sun by Julie Mehretu – Escalator View. (Photo: Courtesy of The Obama Foundation)
Julie Mehretu, daughter of an American mother and an Ethiopian father, views art as a catalyst for thought and reflection on contemporary society. The Obama Presidential Center, opening in Spring 2026, will feature over 20 original artworks across its 19.3-acre campus, with much of it accessible to the public at no charge. (Photo: Courtesy of The Obama Foundation)
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Related:
Celebrating Creativity in Africa: Julie Mehretu’s Vision for the 20th BMW Art Car
A Conversation Between Julie Mehretu and Mehret Mandefro
Julie Mehretu’s BMW Art Car Makes its World Premiere in Paris
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