Artist Mark Bradford has completed a mural titled “City of the Big Shoulders” for the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago [1].

The work serves as a visual exploration of the city's historical and social landscape. By mapping migration patterns and the effects of structural racism, the mural seeks to represent the systemic forces that have shaped the South Side of Chicago [1].

Bradford spent five years creating the piece [1]. He was commissioned by Barack and Michelle Obama as part of a larger artistic vision for the campus. The former president and first lady commissioned 30 artists to create work for the center [2].

The mural is designed to reflect the strength and complexity of Chicago [1]. Through his process, Bradford translates the city's urban geography into a luminous composition that addresses both the resilience of its people, and the barriers they have faced.

According to The New York Times, "City of the Big Shoulders" reflects the city's strength and complexity [1]. The installation is one of several key artworks integrated into the facility's design to provide visitors with a deeper understanding of the American experience through a local lens.

This project is part of a broader effort to ensure the presidential center serves as a cultural hub. By incorporating artists who engage with the specific history of the South Side, the center aims to anchor itself in the community it inhabits [1, 2].

“"City of the Big Shoulders" reflects the city's strength and complexity.”

The inclusion of Bradford's work signifies a deliberate effort by the Obama Presidential Center to move beyond traditional political archiving. By focusing on structural racism and migration, the center uses public art to acknowledge the systemic struggles of the South Side, positioning the institution as a site of social critique and reflection rather than just a monument to a presidency.