Portrait of a Nation: 2022 Honorees

November 10, 2022 - October 22, 2023

Established in 2015, the Portrait of a Nation Awards honor extraordinary individuals who have made transformative contributions to the United States and its people. This exhibition highlights the most recent recipients: chef and humanitarian José Andrés; Grammy Award–winning music executive and philanthropist Clive Davis; Academy Award–nominated and Peabody Award– winning filmmaker Ava DuVernay; attorney and children’s rights activist Marian Wright Edelman; leading public health expert Dr. Anthony S. Fauci; 23-time Grand Slam champion and entrepreneur Serena Williams; and fellow tennis champion, entrepreneur, and pay equity activist Venus Williams.

Representing the arts, sciences, business, human rights activism, and sports, each of the 2022 Portrait of a Nation honorees has reached the top of their field. They stand as prime examples of human possibility. In addition to using their gifts, passions, and talents to advance their disciplines, they have all become change agents, helping us better understand the world and what it means to contribute to the greater good. Moreover, the featured artworks embody some of the best examples of portraiture and its expansive possibilities


NIKE Inc. and the National Portrait Gallery celebrate and champion the remarkable individuals who fuel innovation and inspire change.

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A Portrait of Dr. Anthony Fauci

Artist: Hugo Crosthwaite
Stop-motion drawing animation, 2022

National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution. Acquired through the generosity of Anonymous; Michael Hollander; Walter and Patricia Moore

full length colorful portrait of an older man in a blue suit seated in a chair


Clive Davis, May 23rd

Artist: David Hockney
Acrylic on canvas, 2022

Courtesy of the artist
© 2022 David Hockney

Waist length double portrait of a woman within an orange background

AVA

Artist: Kenturah Davis
Oil stamp on kozo paper, 2022

National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution. Acquired in part through the generosity of Agnes Gund

Bust length photo of a Black woman wearing a black wrap and portrait jewelry of abolitionists


Marian Wright Edelman

Artist: Ruven Afanador
Inkjet print, 2013

National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution
© 2013 Ruven Afanador

Painting of a man standing in floodwaters holding a large cauldron of food

José Andrés and the Olla de Barro that Feeds the World

Artist: Kadir Nelson
Oil on linen, 2022

National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution. Acquired through the generosity of Teresa Carlson and André Pienaar; Kate Capshaw and Steven Spielberg’s The Hearthland Foundation; Cheryl and Ron Howard; Patty Stonesifer and Michael Kinsley; The Wilder Family
© 2022 Kadir Nelson

bust length abstract painting of a Black woman


Serena

Artist: Toyin Ojih Odutola
Pastel, charcoal, and graphite on paper, 2022

National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution. Acquired through the generosity of NIKE, Inc. Additional support provided by Lydia Cheney and Jim Sokol; Esusu Financial, Inc. - Wemimo Abbey & Samir Goel; Osagie & Losenge Imasogie; Madison Ruby Wilbourn

double portrait of a woman, one in tennis clothing the other in a gown

Venus Williams, Double Portrait

Artist: Robert Pruitt
Conté crayon, charcoal, pastel, and coffee wash on paper, 2022

National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution. Acquired in part through the generosity of Mark D. Ein
© 2022 Robert Pruitt