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African American Figures Drawing
Image courtesy of the Barack Obama Presidential Library
African American Figures Drawing
Image courtesy of the Barack Obama Presidential Library

African American Figures Drawing

Artifact SeriesDomestic Gifts
Artifact IDDO.130120
Object Type Drawing
Artist/ Maker (American, 1934 - 2014)
Intended Recipient (American, 1961)
Date 2011
Medium paper, pastel, pencil, ink
DimensionsOverall W 30 in x L 22 in (76.2 cm x 55.9 cm )
Physical Description
Physical DescriptionColor drawing of President Obama surrounded by the faces of Harriet Tubman, Martin Luther King, Jr., Malcolm X, and Sojourner Truth overlaid on the outline of the map of the United States with the text of a poem by Amiri Baraka written in red throughout.
Inscriptions and MarkingsInscribed in lower right of obverse: [artist's signature] 11 Inscribed on obverse in separate paragraphs: If you ever find yourself, somewhere lost and surrounded by enemies who won't let you speak in your own language who destroy your statues & instruments, who ban your own bomma ba boom then you are in trouble deep trouble they ban ban your own boom ba boom you in deep deep
InscribedInscribed in lower right of obverse: [artist's signature] 11

Inscribed on obverse in separate paragraphs: If you ever find
yourself, somewhere
lost and surrounded
by enemies

who won't let you
speak in your own language
who destroy your statues

& instruments, who ban
your own bomma ba boom
then you are in trouble
deep trouble

they ban ban
your own boom ba boom
you in deep deep
Custodial History / ProvenanceThe item was a gift from a member of the general public to President Barack Obama during the Obama Administration. It was received through the Office of the President and maintained there until its transfer to the National Archives in January 2017 for deposit with the Obama Presidential Library. Additional Details
National Archives Catalog CollectionBarack Obama Artifact Collection (National Archives Identifier 63542091)
National Archives Catalog SeriesDomestic Gifts (National Archives Identifier 66540613)
Use Restriction StatusRestricted - Possibly
Use Restriction NoteCopyright or other proprietary rights may be held by individuals or entities other than the Obama Presidential Library. The Obama Presidential Library does not warrant that the use of materials will not infringe on the rights of third parties holding the rights to these works, or make any representations or warranties with respect to the application or terms of any international agreement, treaty, or protections that may apply. It is your responsibility to determine and satisfy any copyright or other use restrictions. Pertinent regulations can be found at 36 C.F.R 1254.62.
In Collection(s)
Not on view
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