by Grace Bonney
This week has shown us moments of such darkness and despair that it’s hard to think about covering design, art, and decorative whatevers. I know that for many this website is a place to find levity and escape from the difficult realities of day-to-day life, but this week I’m struggling to do much other than grieve the losses in Parkland, Florida and the feeling that we’ve also lost hope in so many other areas of our community. But I’m going to do my best to keep moving forward, to support those who are in need right now, and to find ways to capture small moments of beauty, hope, and life.
For me, that bright spot this week belongs to the unveiling of the Obamas’ Presidential Portraits. Painted by Kehinde Wiley and Amy Sherald, these two very different pieces have been the topic of much discussion. I had strong feelings about both, but felt that listening to art criticisms from the perspective of Black critics was more important that anything I would have to say. So today I wanted to share both portraits here so we can end the week with something beautiful, colorful and with connections to such rich histories in art and craft (the dress Michelle Obama is wearing references the quilt work of Gee’s Bend). Here’s wishing you all a safe and happy weekend. Love, Grace.
Photos above by Olivier Douliery/Abaca Press (Sipa via AP Images)
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