Alexandra Feder
Kehinde Wiley uses iconic back drops that belong to different histories, cultures, and movements to make extremely powerful pieces. He uses delicate backgrounds with very intricate patterns and styles to frame the face of the person he is painting. Wiley replaces the delicate white people that would most normally be found in those types of paintings with African Americans instead. African Americans are not normally portrayed in such a delicately, calm way. Wiley’s work is memorable due to the fact that it is different than what we as viewers are used to, and it is also extremely significant in changing the way African Americans are viewed and portrayed by society. Wiley’s work is also notable for the way he does his research, in short, he picks people out of the street and goes from there.
Wiley’s research consists of him walking around the street, stopping different African Americans, getting rejected, and continuing until he finds someone to say yes, you can paint me. The instructions for these people are just to come in their favorite outfits. Men come in their every day clothing while the women liked to come in decadent, lavish clothing. After he takes their pictures, he looks at different patterns that relate in their color to the persons outfit and starts painting.
His process which is so odd and intriguing makes you wonder if it is significant in actually understanding his work. Looking at the picture with no context or prior knowledge of the process, it is hard to think deeper than whats on the surface. Understanding the process, can inspire someone to understand their worth and that they don’t need to be a model to be something. The process gives a story and character to each person in the paintings. You get to understand a little more about their alter ego and who they are. The process is not only significant in understanding his work, but it gives a beautiful story which is so worth ‘reading.’
