The Exhibition
PORTRAITS in the ‘Fields of Power’ refers to the tradition of Western European Old Masters Paintings. This is the base from which Kehinde Wiley appropriates, connects, and construct images. His figures are posed in the same visual narrative and structure as the old classical masters centuries ago. In themes relating to the politics of identity, Kehinde became well known for his photo-realist style of brightly coloured portraits, with dramatic lush backgrounds, similar to ornamental wallpaper. The images are made with the intention of locating the ‘Black Body’ into the frame and reference of power. Kehinde states, “art is about communicating power. An overview of his work could also be titled ‘Black is Beautiful.’
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The Artist
Kehinde Wiley was born in Los Angeles, California in 1977. After graduating from with a BFA from San Francisco Art Institute, he went to New York. He achieved his MFA from Yale School of Art in 2001. Soon after he began a residence at the Studio Museum, in Harlem. He is the first Black artist to paint a president of the U.S.A. That person ‘Barak Obama, is also the first Black president of America. Kehinde is currently one of the most vibrant and celebrated artist in the world. He is a favourite of private collectors, and public art museums. His new approach and projects are titled, ‘The World Stage.’
