Sherald paints her subjects’ flesh a charcoal grey ― alluding to their blackness while liberating them from the limitations of real life. The color, made from a combination of black and Naples yellow, ushers Sherald’s characters outside the realm of history into that of the boundless imagination.

“We get the same stories of who we are ― stories filled with pain, oppression and struggle,” she said. “But there are other sides to black lives that are not often represented. I’m painting these people.”

During their time in office, Barack and Michelle Obama brought the work of black artists to the White House’s hallowed walls. Their contributions include works by abstract expressionist Alma Thomas, folk artist William H. Johnson and conceptual artist Glenn Ligon.

The Obamas will continue to support the arts beyond their term through their recently announced Obama Foundation Fellowship, which will champion emerging artists ― as well as organizers, creators, educators, entrepreneurs, and journalists ― at a turning point in their careers.