Walking around the Obama’s People exhibition you start to comprehend just how large and diverse a team it is behind the man that is making political history. From his personal aide Reggie Love to the Vice-President Joe Biden no one in this series of portraits is treated as any more important than another, each portrait doing what a good portrait is supposed to: conveying something about the sitter. In these cases it combines their personality as an individual and what they bring to the Obama administration, and it is especially interesting to see if your impression of them as a person matches the role they play.

The people behind the emergence of this exhibition-Rhubarb Rhubarb are now offering the same opportunity to the public-who it is acknowledged were the momentum behind the enthusiasm Obama brought to the voters. As part of the London 2012 Cultural Olympiad Open Weekend you or up to three persons can name your role in the Obama team and have your portrait taken by Richard Battye who is one of the most experienced portrait photographers of the West Midlands.

The Obama movement not only paved a new direction in American politics but managed to break down old criticisms of the power of the voter and onlooker. This opportunity is to accept our responsibility and part in how we shape the political powers of the world.

To book the 10 minute appointment call Rhubarb-Rhubarb on 0121 773 7889

11am-4pm Sat 25 July | 1pm-4pm Sun 26 July
At Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery
Chamberlain Square, Birmingham B3 3DH

Having managed the amazing feat of beating off galleries in New York and Berlin, as well as raising the funds in record time, Creative Director of Rhubarb Rhubarb, Rhonda Wilson MBE is pleased to announce that Birmingham will host the launch of Obama’s People.

The leading photography and development agency has won the rights to the Obama’s People exhibition by top photographer, Nadav Kander. Kander was orginally commissioned by the New York Times to take portraits of Barrack Obama’s new council as it was assembled during the election campaign last year. The results were an astonishing mix of artistic photographs and a visual documentary that is a timeless testament to one of the most crucial points in political history.

Photographs include familiar faces such as that of the Secretary of State, Hillary Rodman Clinton, and Obama’s Personal Aide, Reggie Love. The images brilliantly represent the personalities of Team Obama. Some of the sitters pose as they are, others use a selection of personal props to convey their personalities across to the general public.

The layout of the exhibition is representative of its American origins. After viewing all 52 photographs visitors will then move through to the ‘corridor of power’ where light boxes illuminate the corridor to represent the five Washington monuments.

Visitors can also get involved within the project by becoming Patrons of Obama. For between £200 and £500 visitors have the opportunity to get their names on the patron’s list, which will be displayed on the gallery wall and published. Patrons also be invited to the artist’s reception on the 14th of May. For more information on becoming a patron call (0)121 773 7889 or email info@rhubarb-rhubarb.net.

The exhibition will be on show to the public at the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery and will run from the 18th of April until the 31st of August 2009.

Image credit: Eugene Kang, Special Assistant to President Obama, by Nadav Kander. Courtesy of New York Times.

Words: Stefanie Andrews