The Facts
On June 24, 2026, Lisson Gallery announced that artists Jack Pierson and Spencer Finch are among the contributors to the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago, which features more than 28 commissioned art installations. Pierson’s “HOPE” (2025), a metal-and-paint sculpture of found letters measuring 165.1 x 408.9 x 15.2 cm, echoes President Barack Obama’s defining campaign message. Finch’s “Memory Landscape (Nairobi, Chicago, Honolulu, Jakarta)” (2025) is a tile wall mural inspired by places from Obama’s formative years, with colors for each location selected personally by the former president. Nearly all artworks on the campus are outdoors or in areas free to the public during operating hours.
The Signal
Public commissions of this scale carry significant visibility for the artists and for Lisson Gallery, placing the program at the center of a landmark civic project. For collectors, such institutional placement can reinforce demand for an artist’s market, while the Obamas’ direct involvement gives the works distinct historical weight. The free and outdoor siting also reflects a broader trend of museums and memorial institutions integrating contemporary art into accessible public spaces.
- Artists: Jack Pierson, Spencer Finch
- People: Barack Obama, Michelle Obama
- Galleries: Lisson Gallery
- Museums: Obama Presidential Center
- Locations: Chicago
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