Artist Spotlight: Kehinde Wiley “Colorful Realm” @Roberts Projects
I don't usually focus on artists beyond California but Kehinde Wiley, though based in NY, originally received his BFA from the San Francisco Art Institute (SFAI). Before that still, he attended LACHSA (Los Angeles County High School for the Arts) so undoubtedly, he's a fellow Los Angelino. The Mid-City art gallery, Roberts Projects, brings Wiley back to the west coast again to unvail his latest solo show, Colorful Realm.
This exhibition of new work from the renowned contemporary artist draws inspiration from Japanese nature paintings of the Edo period (c.1600–1868), Wiley parallels traditional techniques and materials in nine monumental paintings. Exposed linen highlights the depicted natural scenes while also preserving the delicate balance of the untouched picture space. Per the artist, “So much of my work is about appearance and showing up and being visible, and this dance between exploring the vastness of space within the minimality of this technique I find to be an interesting juxtaposition.” About the Artist: Kehinde Wiley (b. 1977, Los Angeles) is an American artist best known for his portraits that render people of color in the traditional settings of Old Master paintings. Wiley’s work brings art history face-to-face with contemporary culture, using the visual rhetoric of the heroic, the powerful, the majestic and the sublime to celebrate Black and brown people the artist has met throughout the world. Working in the mediums of painting, sculpture, and video, Wiley’s portraits challenge and reorient art-historical narratives, awakening complex issues that many would prefer to remain muted.
About Kehinde Wiley:
Kehinde Wiley is a visually captivating artist with a reputation that precedes him globally. Born in Los Angeles in 1977, Wiley is well-known for his bold and colorful depictions of modern African-American and African-Diaspora individuals that defy traditional European and American portrait techniques. Through his use of painting, sculpture, and video, he strives to recalibrate historical art narratives and shed light on important sociopolitical topics often ignored.
In 2018, Wiley made history as the first African-American to paint a U.S. Presidential portrait for the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery, selected for this honor by former President Barack Obama. He has received numerous accolades for his work, including the U.S. Department of State’s Medal of Arts, Harvard University’s W.E.B. Du Bois Medal, and the distinction of Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters from France. With a BFA from the San Francisco Art Institute and an MFA from Yale University, along with honorary doctorates from the Rhode Island School of Design and San Francisco Art Institute, Wiley's works are on display in over 50 public institutions globally. In addition to his artistic pursuits, Wiley is the Founder and President of Black Rock Senegal and splits his time between Beijing, Dakar, and New York.
Some of Kehinde Wiley's Most Famous Artworks Include:
"Equestrian Portrait of King Philip II" (2009 - This large-scale portrait depicts an African-American man on horseback, inspired by the traditional European equestrian portrait style that was popular during the Renaissance. The work challenges traditional notions of power and representation, as the subject is depicted in a powerful pose, while also subverting the genre by featuring a modern, urban African-American man in place of the typical European monarch. This work is considered one of Wiley's most famous because it was one of his earliest forays into this style of portraiture and helped establish his signature approach.
"Barack Obama" (2018) - As the first African-American artist to paint an official U.S. Presidential portrait for the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery, this work has become one of Wiley's most famous. Painted at the request of former President Barack Obama, the portrait depicts the former President in a contemplative pose, surrounded by greenery and flowers. Through this work, Wiley continues his exploration of the ways in which portraiture can be used to subvert traditional power dynamics and representations.
"Rumors of War" (2019) - This massive equestrian statue depicts a young African-American man in contemporary clothing, and was installed in Richmond, Virginia in 2019. Through this work, Wiley comments on the history of Confederate monuments in the United States and the ways in which they have been used to reinforce white supremacy. The statue has become a landmark in the city and is considered one of Wiley's most famous because of its size, its cultural and political significance, and its ability to spark conversation and dialogue about important social issues.
These artworks are considered Kehinde Wiley's most famous because of their beauty, their cultural and political relevance, and their ability to challenge traditional expectations and power dynamics in the art world.
Kehinde Wiley's Most Career Defining Exhibitions:
Kehinde Wiley has had many exhibitions throughout his career, but here are a few of his most career-defining exhibitions and why they were important.
"The World Stage: Africa, Lagos-Dakar" (2008) - This exhibition, which was held at the Brooklyn Museum in New York, marked a turning point in Wiley's career. The exhibition featured large-scale portraits of African men in poses inspired by traditional European masterpieces, and marked the first time that Wiley had focused specifically on the African continent and its diaspora. Through these works, Wiley comments on the ways in which traditional European styles and conventions have been used to reinforce colonial power dynamics and instead reclaims them to give visibility to the black male figure. The exhibition was widely praised and helped establish Wiley as a leading figure in the contemporary art world.
"A New Republic" (2015) - This exhibition, which was held at the Brooklyn Museum, marked the first major survey of Wiley's work and showcased his entire career to date. The exhibition featured over 60 works in a variety of mediums, including painting, sculpture, and video, and allowed viewers to see the breadth and depth of Wiley's artistic vision. The exhibition was widely praised for its beauty, its cultural and political relevance, and its ability to challenge traditional expectations and power dynamics in the art world.
These exhibitions are considered some of Kehinde Wiley's most career-defining exhibitions because they helped establish him as a leading figure in the contemporary art world and allowed viewers to see the breadth and depth of his artistic vision. They were also important because they helped to bring attention to important cultural and political issues and sparked conversations and debates about representation and power in the art world.
Consumer Offerings & Brand Collaborations:
Kehinde Wiley has also extended his reach beyond the art world by offering consumer retail products and collaborating with commercial entities. Some of his most notable consumer retail offerings and commercial collaborations include:
Home Décor Collection - In 2019, Kehinde Wiley launched a home décor collection in partnership with the luxury lifestyle brand, L’Objet. The collection features a range of products, including dinnerware, vases, and candleholders, that are inspired by Wiley's iconic portraits and decorative motifs. The collection has been praised for its beauty and has helped to bring Wiley's art to a wider audience.
Nike Collaboration - In 2021, Kehinde Wiley teamed up with Nike to create a limited-edition collection of sneakers. The collection features four different sneakers, each of which is inspired by one of Wiley's iconic portraits and is decorated with graphic elements that reference his work. The collection was widely praised for its beauty and cultural relevance, and helped to bring Wiley's art to a new generation of consumers.
Anthropologie Collaboration - In 2019, Kehinde Wiley collaborated with the home décor and fashion brand, Anthropologie, to create a collection of home accessories and clothing. The collection features a range of products, including pillows, curtains, and clothing, that are inspired by Wiley's iconic portraits and decorative motifs. The collection has been praised for its beauty and has helped to bring Wiley's art to a wider audience.
Book Collection - In 2017, Kehinde Wiley released a book collection featuring his most iconic portraits and works. The collection includes both monographs and exhibition catalogs and provides an in-depth look at Wiley's art and career.
Louis Vuitton Collaboration - In 2019, Kehinde Wiley collaborated with the luxury fashion brand, Louis Vuitton, to create a series of limited-edition scarves. The scarves feature Wiley's iconic portraits and decorative motifs and have been praised for their beauty and cultural relevance.
Custom Carpets - In 2018, Kehinde Wiley created a collection of custom carpets in collaboration with the carpet company, The Rug Company. The collection features a range of carpets that are inspired by Wiley's iconic portraits and decorative motifs and have been praised for their beauty and cultural relevance.
Roberta Roller Rabbit Collaboration - In 2019, Kehinde Wiley collaborated with the lifestyle brand, Roberta Roller Rabbit, to create a collection of clothing and home accessories. The collection features a range of products, including clothing, bedding, and towels, that are inspired by Wiley's iconic portraits and decorative motifs.
These collaborations demonstrate Kehinde Wiley's ability to work across different mediums and bring his art to a wider audience. They also showcase his commitment to making his art accessible and relevant to a diverse range of people and help to solidify his status as one of the leading contemporary artists of his generation.
Museums That Collect Kehinde Wiley's Art:
Kehinde Wiley's art is included in the collections of numerous public institutions around the world. Some of the most notable public collections that own his art include:
The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York - The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York holds a number of Kehinde Wiley's works in its permanent collection. This includes a number of his iconic portraits, which are known for their vibrant colors and powerful imagery.
The Smithsonian American Art Museum, Washington D.C. - The Smithsonian American Art Museum in Washington D.C. holds a number of Kehinde Wiley's works in its permanent collection. This includes a number of his portraits, which are known for their unique interpretations of classical European and American portraiture.
The Tate Modern, London - The Tate Modern in London holds a number of Kehinde Wiley's works in its permanent collection. This includes a number of his portraits, which are known for their powerful imagery and their ability to subvert art-historical narratives.
The Museum of Modern Art, New York - The Museum of Modern Art in New York holds a number of Kehinde Wiley's works in its permanent collection. This includes a number of his portraits, which are known for their vibrant colors and powerful imagery.
The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston - The Museum of Fine Arts in Houston holds a number of Kehinde Wiley's works in its permanent collection. This includes a number of his portraits, which are known for their unique interpretations of classical European and American portraiture.
Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) also holds works by Kehinde Wiley in its permanent collection. LACMA is one of the largest art museums in the United States and is known for its comprehensive collection of American and international art. The museum's collection of Kehinde Wiley's work includes a number of his portraits.
These collections demonstrate the wide recognition and respect that Kehinde Wiley has received as an artist and showcase the impact that his work has had on the art world. They also provide opportunities for audiences to engage with his work and gain a deeper understanding of his artistic vision and impact.
