When the highly anticipated Obama Presidential Center opens its doors in Chicago, visitors from across the globe will be greeted by a towering, breathtaking wall of light and color on the north facade of the Museum Building. Standing at a staggering 83 feet high and 25 feet wide, this monumental painted-glass window—titled Uprising of the Sun—is one of the center’s most prominent permanent art installations.
The genius behind this masterwork is Julie Mehretu.
While the global art market recognizes her as a MacArthur “Genius” Fellow and one of the most influential, multi-million-dollar contemporary painters of the 21st century, her story begins far from New York or Chicago. It begins in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
The Roots of a Global Master: Born in Addis Ababa
Born in the Ethiopian capital in 1970 to an Ethiopian college professor and an American teacher, Julie’s early childhood was shaped by the vibrant cultural and political landscape of Addis Ababa. However, following the political upheaval of the mid-1970s and the rise of the Derg regime, her family chose to migrate to the United States in 1977, settling in Michigan.
Though she grew up in the US, Julie has always maintained that her displacement and her Ethiopian roots fundamentally shaped her worldview. Her signature style—massive, layered canvases that blend architectural blueprints, city maps, and aggressive, energetic brushstrokes—is deeply tied to themes of migration, geography, history, and how human beings move through space.
“I wanted to honor Chicago’s history and President Obama’s legacy by telling a story about how change happens,” Mehretu shared. “This work is layered with history, and I’m eager to see how people will connect with it – whether you’re a grandparent from the South Side of Chicago or a kid from Addis Ababa.”
Dialogue with an Ethiopian Icon: Afewerk Tekle’s Influence
For the Ethiopian audience, Uprising of the Sun carries a profound, hidden resonance. In designing this massive 35-panel glass installation, Mehretu did something extraordinary: she drew direct inspiration from The Total Liberation of Africa, the legendary stained-glass masterpiece by Africa’s Most Illustrious Artist, Honorable Dr. Afewerk Tekle, which famously illuminates Africa Hall in Addis Ababa.
By intertwining the visual memory of Afewerk Tekle’s landmark work with the historical imagery of the American Civil Rights movement—specifically President Barack Obama’s historic speech during the 50th anniversary of the Selma to Montgomery marches—Mehretu has bridged two continents.
- The Material Shift: Known globally for her intricate work in ink and acrylic on canvas, this project marks the first time Mehretu has ever worked with glass. Collaborating with the renowned Franz Mayer Studio in Germany, she utilized hand-painting, airbrushing, and ceramic melting colors to achieve the translucency of the piece.
- The Symbolism: The work serves as a literal and figurative “beacon of hope.” As light passes through the glass, it reflects the multi-layered histories of struggle, triumph, and the continuous march toward freedom in both the United States and Africa.
At a Glance: The Scale of Uprising of the Sun
Attribute Details Artist Julie Mehretu (b. 1970, Addis Ababa) Location Museum Building (North Facade), Obama Presidential Center, Chicago Dimensions 83 feet high × 25 feet wide (approx. 25 meters × 7.6 meters) Medium 35 panels of custom-designed, hand-painted architectural glass Core Themes Freedom, historical layers, civil rights, and pan-African solidarity Why Julie Mehretu’s Triumph Matters to Ethiopia
In Ethiopia, art has traditionally been a medium of national pride, history-keeping, and spiritual reflection. Julie Mehretu takes that grand tradition of scale and social relevance and projects it onto the highest stage of international contemporary art.
Her appointment by the Obama Foundation to anchor the visual identity of the Presidential Center is not just a personal victory; it is a proud moment for the global Ethiopian diaspora. Uprising of the Sun stands as a testament that an artist born in Addis Ababa can shape the narrative landscape of American history, proving that our stories, our visual lineages, and our perspectives are entirely universal.
When world leaders, students, and tourists look up at the Obama Presidential Center, they will be looking at a horizon engineered by an Ethiopian mind—a beautiful reminder that no matter how far our paths take us, our roots have the power to illuminate the world.
