work to live.

Kehinde Wiley

During my trip to LA I visited the Hammer Gallery. It is inevitable that every time I go there I spend tons of time and money in their bookstore, which I consider one of the BEST museum bookstores in the world - and I've been to many. There I came across a book of artist Kehinde Wiley propped up right near the entrance. It was bold, direct, colorful and full of power - and that was only the cover. I thumbed through and saw beautiful full page images of paintings of baroque and renaissance patterned backgrounds with figures of young contemporary black men in street wear and defiant attitudes in classical aristocratic European poses. The following passage in the book intrigued me and I wrote it down in my sketchbook: "...by applying the visual vocabulary and conventions of glorification, wealth, prestige and history to subject matter drawn from the urban fabric." Returning home I decided to research his work more and discovered his website. WOW! is the only word I can use to describe not only his visual works but the content of his theory and philosophy and the eloquence in which he presents it. I could not do justice to his descriptions so I suggest you listen for yourself (http://www.kehindewiley.com/main.html - go to the media tab). I am in awe of his level of awareness, skill and courage. I look forward to seeing his paintings in person and following the development of his work in the future! Discovering Kehinde Wiley's work inspires me and gives me faith in art again.