Kehinde Wiley
1977-present · American (Los Angeles/New York) · Contemporary Art
Known for: Painter of monumental portraits of Black subjects in Old Master poses - painted Obama's official portrait
Wiley stops people on the street - usually young Black men - and invites them to choose an Old Master pose, then paints them life-size against vibrant patterned backgrounds. His work reclaims art-historical power for Black bodies.
He studied at Yale's MFA and runs studios in New York, Beijing, and Dakar. He is openly gay. His Obama portrait made him the most famous American portrait painter alive.
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