Oprah Winfrey Unveils Stunning Portrait: Renowned Chicago artist Shawn Michael Warren found inspiration in an unexpected connection— a mural featuring Oprah Winfrey. Three years ago, Warren painted a mural in Chicago’s West Loop to honor Winfrey, whose impactful talk show and production company had roots in the area. Winfrey, upon seeing the mural, expressed her admiration for Warren’s artistry, describing how it took her breath away.
Fast forward to a significant moment in Washington, DC, where Warren and Winfrey joined forces again. This time, they unveiled a new portrait at the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery. The painting portrays Winfrey in a resplendent purple dress, holding an olive branch, symbolizing hope and peace.
In attendance were Winfrey’s close confidantes, including Gayle King, director Ava DuVernay, and longtime partner Stedman Graham. As Warren revealed the portrait, Winfrey’s joy was palpable.
The color purple holds special significance in Winfrey’s life, stemming from her role in the 1985 film “The Color Purple” and her involvement in the upcoming film adaptation of “The Color Purple” musical. Quoting her favorite Bible verse, Acts 17:28, Winfrey shared a profound moment of realization when she felt connected to the divine while gazing out of her Montecito home.
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The portrait itself was captured in Winfrey’s sacred space, her prayer garden, by Warren and photographer Darius Carter. Warren expressed gratitude for Winfrey’s trust and collaboration, emphasizing her freedom to move as she saw fit during the session.
During the unveiling, Winfrey acknowledged the historical significance of her portrait hanging alongside icons like Harriet Tubman, Frederick Douglass, and the Obamas. Entrepreneur Mack Wilbourn, a National Portrait Gallery commissioner, emphasized Winfrey’s cultural influence and the lasting impact of her portrait.
As the emotional event concluded, Winfrey, turning 70 in January, reflected on a birthday poem penned by her late mentor Maya Angelou. The poem’s sentiment resonates in her commitment to astonish the world with acts of kindness and live in gratitude.
In this portrait, Shawn Michael Warren not only captures Oprah Winfrey’s external grace but also the essence of her journey, from Chicago’s mural to the Smithsonian’s hallowed halls.