My take on the portraits is this: It looks as if Obama is being taken over by plants. This could be seen as symbolic, as environmental policies were dominant during his regime. It is an interestingly different kind of portrait and appropriate in terms of meaning. Not sure if I really like it or not. Don’t like Michelle’s portrait at all....very different, very dominant, very designed to make a social statement. Not much soul in either work.
Although I think the plants in Obama’s work represent Hawaii, Kenya and Chicago, we could also see the “weeds” taking over....appropriate in terms of the most recent news. It could be one of the most interesting and appropriately symbolic portrait, although Obama wouldn’t like my interpretation at all.
Swamp Thing.