Lena Rivera
Kehinde Wiley is an American portrait painter who gained widespread recognition after being commissioned to paint former US President Barack Obama's official portrait. Wiley's work is known for its bold colours and strong views on racial power. He has produced several paintings that critique the racism of art history and comment on contemporary street culture and masculine identity. Two of his paintings, both modern takes on the biblical story of Judith beheading Holofernes, depict elegantly dressed black women brandishing the severed heads of white women. These paintings, which were not particularly controversial before the unveiling of the Obama portrait, were criticised by conservative commentators and media outlets as racist.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Artist | Kehinde Wiley |
| Genre | Portraiture |
| Medium | Oil on canvas |
| Style | Baroque, Rococo, Renaissance, Dutch Golden Age |
| Subject Matter | Racial power, masculinity, street culture |
| Notable Works | Judith Beheading Holofernes, Portrait of a Couple, Equestrian Portrait of King Philip II, Portrait of Barack Obama |
| Year | 2012, 2013 |
| Controversy | Accused of racism for his depictions of black women beheading white women |
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What You'll Learn
- Kehinde Wiley's paintings of women holding severed heads are based on the biblical story of Judith beheading Holofernes
- Wiley's paintings critique the racism of art history
- The paintings caused controversy after Wiley painted Barack Obama's presidential portrait
- The paintings were described as racist by conservative media outlets
- Wiley has said that his intention as an artist is to be provocative
Kehinde Wiley's paintings of women holding severed heads are based on the biblical story of Judith beheading Holofernes
Kehinde Wiley is an American portrait painter who paints monumental works of art that captivate audiences with bold colours and strong views on racial power. He is one of many contemporary artists throughout the world who hopes to shift racial power dynamics through his art.
Wiley's paintings of women holding severed heads are based on the biblical story of Judith beheading Holofernes. In the biblical story, a Jewish town is attacked by the Assyrian army led by the general Holofernes. Judith, a widow from the town, goes to Holofernes and pretends to want to help him defeat the Jewish people. After getting Holofernes drunk, Judith cuts off his head with his own sword, and the town defeats the army. Wiley's modern interpretation of this story depicts Judith as a powerful Black woman wearing a designer gown and looking directly at the viewer while holding the severed head of a White woman. The painting is titled "Judith Beheading Holofernes" and is one of two variations on the biblical story that Wiley created, both of which generated controversy when they were shared on social media following the unveiling of Wiley's portrait of former President Barack Obama.
In Wiley's painting, Judith is surrounded by a bold floral pattern that swirls behind and over her body. The model for Judith in this painting is a woman Wiley met in a shopping mall in downtown Brooklyn, while the model for the head of Holofernes is one of Wiley's assistants. Wiley's work explores the ways in which race and power are represented in art, and his paintings of Judith beheading Holofernes are no exception. In his interpretation, Wiley critiques the racism of art history while also commenting on contemporary street culture and masculine identity.
Wiley has stated that his intent as an artist is to be provocative, and his paintings of Judith beheading Holofernes certainly achieved that effect. While some critics accused the paintings of being racist, others interpreted the work as a symbol of the need to vanquish white supremacy. Wiley himself described the work as "a play on the 'kill whitey' thing".
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Wiley's paintings critique the racism of art history
Kehinde Wiley is an American portrait painter who paints monumental works of art that captivate audiences with bold colours and strong views on racial power. He is one of many contemporary artists throughout the world who hopes to shift racial power throughout the media using his art.
Wiley's paintings often feature Black men and women with rich, dark skin tones, exuding power and privilege. He critiques the racism of art history by placing his subjects in historical poses and settings appropriated from Old Master paintings, such as his paintings based on the biblical story of Judith beheading Holofernes, in which he depicts African-American women holding the severed heads of white women.
Wiley's work is provocative and has caused controversy, with some conservative commentators criticising his selection to paint the official portrait of former President Barack Obama due to his earlier paintings that depicted racial violence. However, Wiley's intent as an artist is to be provocative, and he has stated that art should set up a set of provocations.
Wiley's distinctive style combines art historical references, cultural representation, and meticulous technique to create intimate portraits of individuals that speak volumes about the racial politics of history, culture, and society. By examining his groundbreaking style, we can unearth the influences, themes, and symbolism that define his artistic identity.
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The paintings caused controversy after Wiley painted Barack Obama's presidential portrait
The unveiling of former US President Barack Obama's official portrait in February 2018 introduced many Americans to artist Kehinde Wiley and opened the door to controversy over some of his earlier work. Wiley, who has described his own visual style as "bombastic, syrupy, and garish," is celebrated in the contemporary art world for his large-scale portraits of black and brown men and women striking heroic poses modelled on those of aristocrats in classic European paintings.
Two portraits in particular, both modern takes on the biblical story of Judith beheading Holofernes, became controversial in the context of Wiley's new role as a presidential portraitist. The paintings, titled Judith Beheading Holofernes, feature elegantly dressed black women brandishing the severed heads of white women. Images of the paintings were shared on social media, with some commentators implying that their content is racist.
Wiley himself has stated that his intent as an artist is to be provocative, and these paintings certainly sparked a provocative response. While some criticised the selection of Wiley for the presidential commission due to these paintings, others defended him, noting that the paintings were meant to critique the racism of art history.
Wiley's portrait of Obama, now hanging in the Smithsonian, also caused a media firestorm when it was unveiled in 2018. The painting marked a sharp and refreshing departure from the traditional styles of official presidential portraits. The most notable aspect of the portrait is Obama's pose against a lush green backdrop of leaves and flowers, inspiring internet jokes comparing the image to a famous meme of Homer Simpson being swallowed by a green hedge.
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The paintings were described as racist by conservative media outlets
Kehinde Wiley is an American portrait painter who paints monumental works of art that captivate audiences with bold colours and strong views on racial power. He is one of many contemporary artists throughout the world who hopes to shift racial power throughout the media using his art.
Wiley made a name for himself for his naturalistic, brightly coloured portraits of young black men, often with dramatic flowery backgrounds. With black masculinity often framed as synonymous with fear and violence in the USA, his generous and vibrant portraits challenge viewers' preconceptions of their subjects and bring young men, and people, of colour into the galleries and museums they are so woefully underrepresented in.
Wiley's work falls into the category of Identity Art and Identity Politics, which is art, film, and writing, that deals primarily with aspects of the artist's identity, for example, race, gender, and sexuality. He critiques the racism of art history while also commenting on contemporary street culture and masculine identity. He is known for his monumental portraits of young black men, placed in historical poses and settings appropriated from Old Master paintings.
Wiley's paintings were described as racist by conservative media outlets. In 2018, after the unveiling of former President Barack Obama's official portrait, many Americans were introduced to the artist for the first time. This also brought attention to some of Wiley's earlier work, including two portraits based on the biblical story of Judith beheading Holofernes. These paintings depicted elegantly-dressed black women brandishing the severed heads of white women.
Some conservative commentators criticised the selection of Wiley for the presidential portrait commission because of these earlier works. Images of the paintings were shared on social media with comments stating or implying that their content is racist. A post on the right-wing blog TheGatewayPundit.com described Wiley as being "known for" and "having a great fondness for" painting black people beheading white people.
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Wiley has said that his intention as an artist is to be provocative
Kehinde Wiley is a contemporary artist renowned for his vibrant and provocative paintings. He has captivated audiences worldwide with his unique approach to portraiture. Wiley's work often features young African American men and women in classical poses, juxtaposing traditional art historical references with modern-day cultural elements.
Wiley's portraits stand out for their bold reinterpretation of traditional conventions. He often selects ordinary people from the streets and places them in classical poses reminiscent of historical portraits, creating a juxtaposition that challenges viewers' expectations. This approach allows him to critique the racism of art history while also commenting on contemporary street culture and masculinity.
Wiley's use of vibrant colours, intricate patterns, and decorative elements further enhances the richness of his portraits. Through careful attention to details such as clothing, accessories, and background settings, he embeds layers of meaning and personal narratives within each portrait. This humanizes his subjects and encourages viewers to consider the complexities of identity and the diverse narratives that shape our understanding of self and society.
Wiley's work has been described as a powerful testament to the transformative potential of art in challenging norms, celebrating diversity, and redefining notions of beauty and representation. His paintings have made a significant impact on the art world, solidifying his place as a leading figure in contemporary art.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Kehinde Wiley painted two portraits depicting the biblical story of Judith beheading Holofernes. In these portraits, Judith is depicted as a black woman and Holofernes as a white woman.
Kehinde Wiley is an American portrait painter who paints monumental works of art that captivate audiences with bold colours and strong views on racial power. He critiques the racism of art history while also commenting on contemporary street culture and masculine identity.
Wiley's paintings are known for their photo-realistic human figures, distinct colours, and prominent use of floral backgrounds. He has described his own visual style as "bombastic, syrupy, and garish".
In addition to his paintings of Judith beheading Holofernes, Wiley is known for his portraits of young black men, placed in historical poses and settings appropriated from Old Master paintings. He has also painted portraits of Barack Obama, Michael Jackson, and Mickalene Thomas.
