Kehinde Wiley is a Los Angeles-born artist whose work reimagines Western conventions in art history and gives a voice to black men and women who have otherwise appeared underrepresented in museums and on gallery walls. Kehinde Wiley: A New Republic, on view now at the Brooklyn Museum until May 24, offers an unprecedented survey of his prolific 14-year career with a collection of more than 60 of the artist's paintings and sculptures.
Wiley begins his process in the streets. Meeting complete strangers, he asks his subjects if they would be interested in sitting for a portrait. Once in the studio, he encourages them to pick a historical art pose based on how they perceive themselves — whether that be with the prowess of victorious emperor or the sensuality of reclining goddess. The final painting blends aspects of contemporary life — Timberland wear, hoodies, baseball caps, sneakers — with contrasting historical poses and ornate backgrounds that recall Old Master paintings. By replacing the wealthy European aristocrats with contemporary black subjects, Kehinde Wiley asks viewers to re-evaluate art history and to question how images affect our ideas of identity and culture.
"Shantavia Beale II," 2012. Oil on canvas, 60 by 48 inches.
Collection of Ana and Lenny Gravier, courtesy Sean Kelly, New York. © Kehinde Wiley. (Photo: Jason Wyche)
"Anthony of Padua," 2013. Oil on canvas, 72 by 60 inches.
Seattle Art Museum; gift of the Contemporary Collectors Forum. © Kehinde Wiley. (Photo: Max Yawney, courtesy of Roberts & Tilton, Culver City, California)
"Femme piquée par un serpent," 2008. Oil on canvas, 102 by 300 inches.
Courtesy of Sean Kelly, New York. © Kehinde Wiley
"Napoleon Leading the Army Over the Alps," 2005. Oil on canvas, 108 by 108 inches.
Collection of Suzi and Andrew B. Cohen. © Kehinde Wiley. (Photo: Sarah DiSantis, Brooklyn Museum)
"The Two Sisters," 2012. Oil on linen, 96 by 72 inches.
Collection of Pamela K. and William A. Royall, Jr., courtesy of Sean Kelly, New York. © Kehinde Wiley. (Photo: Jason Wyche)
"Willem van Heythuysen," 2005. Oil and enamel on canvas, 96 by 72 inches.
Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Richmond; Arthur and Margaret Glasgow Fund. © Kehinde Wiley. (Photo: Katherine Wetzel, © Virginia Museum of Fine Arts)
"Arms of Nicolas Ruterius, Bishop of Arras," 2014. Stained glass, 54 by 36 inches.
Courtesy of Galerie Daniel Templon, Paris. © Kehinde Wiley
"Two Heroic Sisters of the Grassland," 2011. Oil on canvas, 96 by 84 inches.
Hort Family Collection. © Kehinde Wiley. (Photo: Max Yawney)
"Saint Remi," 2014. Stained glass, 96 by 43.5 inches.
Courtesy of Galerie Daniel Templon, Paris. © Kehinde Wiley
"The Sisters Zénaïde and Charlotte Bonaparte," 2014. Oil on linen, 83.5 by 63 inches.
© Kehinde Wiley. (Photo: Robert Wedemeyer, courtesy of Roberts & Tilton, Culver City, California)
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