Obamas Change the Mix of Loaned Art on Display at the White House

The Obamas love modern art with a passion that will change the mix of art shown in the White House's public and private rooms.

In a bold call to private collectors, galleries and museums, POTUS and FLOTUS are sending a call that they’d like to borrow modern art by African-American, Asian, Hispanic and female artists for the White House. This move will not only minimize the dominating presence of 19th-century still lifes, pastorlas and portraits that dominate the White House's public rooms.

The Obama choices will have a financial and buzz feature on the art world.

The WSJ writes that the Obamas are not the first to feature works by African American artists.

The Clintons received political praise after they selected Simmie Knox, an African-American artist from Alabama, to paint their official portraits. The Bush administration garnered approval for acquiring “The Builders,” a painting by African-American artist Jacob Lawrence, but also some criticism for the picture, which depicts black men doing menial labor.

The process of displaying loanded art at the White House is simple. The Obamas can do what they wish in the residence and offices, including the Oval Office. Any art intended for display in public rooms, like the Green Room must be approved by the White House curator and the Committee for the Preservation of the White House, an advisory board on which the first lady serves as honorary chair.

For more on changing the Art on the White House Walls. watch this WSJ video. A