Idris Khan

Sky of Hope

Permanent installation

Apr 6, 2026

Obama Presidential Center, Chicago, United States

Sky of Hope is a massive ceiling painting that overlaps thousands of hand-stamped words. Each word comes from a speech President Obama gave honoring Civil Rights leaders. Layers of stamps create a burst of color above, turning the room itself into part of the artwork.

The Sky Room at The Obama Presidential Center Museum in Chicago, IL, on Wednesday, April 8, 2026. (The Obama Foundation) Please credit “The Obama Foundation.” The photographs may not be manipulated in any way, and may not be used in commercial or political materials, advertisements, emails, products, or promotions that in any way suggest approval or endorsement by the Foundation, President Obama, or Mrs. Obama without the Foundation’s prior written consent.
President Barack Obama walks through the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago, IL on Wednesday April 8, 2026. Please credit “The Obama Foundation.” The photographs may not be manipulated in any way, and may not be used in commercial or political materials, advertisements, emails, products, or promotions that in any way suggest approval or endorsement by the Foundation, President Obama, or Mrs. Obama without the Foundation’s prior written consent.
Sky of Hope by Idris Khan in the Sky Room vista at The Obama Presidential Center Museum in Chicago, IL, on Thursday March 26, 2026. (The Obama Foundation) Please credit “The Obama Foundation.” The photographs may not be manipulated in any way, and may not be used in commercial or political materials, advertisements, emails, products, or promotions that in any way suggest approval or endorsement by the Foundation, President Obama, or Mrs. Obama without the Foundation’s prior written consent.
The Sky Room at The Obama Presidential Center Museum in Chicago, IL, on Wednesday, April 8, 2026. (The Obama Foundation) Please credit “The Obama Foundation.” The photographs may not be manipulated in any way, and may not be used in commercial or political materials, advertisements, emails, products, or promotions that in any way suggest approval or endorsement by the Foundation, President Obama, or Mrs. Obama without the Foundation’s prior written consent.
President Barack Obama walks through the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago, IL on Wednesday April 8, 2026. Please credit “The Obama Foundation.” The photographs may not be manipulated in any way, and may not be used in commercial or political materials, advertisements, emails, products, or promotions that in any way suggest approval or endorsement by the Foundation, President Obama, or Mrs. Obama without the Foundation’s prior written consent.
Sky of Hope by Idris Khan in the Sky Room vista at The Obama Presidential Center Museum in Chicago, IL, on Thursday March 26, 2026. (The Obama Foundation) Please credit “The Obama Foundation.” The photographs may not be manipulated in any way, and may not be used in commercial or political materials, advertisements, emails, products, or promotions that in any way suggest approval or endorsement by the Foundation, President Obama, or Mrs. Obama without the Foundation’s prior written consent.
More information

Idris Khan

Born in 1978 in Birmingham, United Kingdom
Lives and works in London, United Kingdom