Kehinde Wiley
Saint Laurence, 2005
A native of Los Angeles, but his work represents more of a New York style, Kehinde Wiley takes poses from very traditional paintings, and gives them a modern twist. He also gets his inspiration from different photographs of men from urban cities. Wiley's paintings consist of urban men dressed in their normal clothes, making a pose from another famous painting, and then Wiley creates his own backgrounds using different types of patterns. According to his website (kehindewiley.com,) Wiley's paintings awaken any issues that many people prefer to keep mute. Wiley attended and received his MFA from Yale University, and his work is also showcased in New York, Los Angeles, Miami, Chicago, and Detroit.
In my opinion, I do not like Wiley's work. To me, what he is trying to do in his paintings is much too busy and almost looks cheesy. In many of his paintings, he tries to make it look traditional, but modern at the same time. Some of his art makes me feel like the subject is stuck in Wonderland. Wiley's work is definitely not dull at all, it is very colorful, but I feel that it takes away from the surrealist of the work. His work might appeal to those who like very busy pictures, but I'm not to sure why he decided to make it these paintings the way he did, they are not traditional looking at all.
In my opinion, I do not like Wiley's work. To me, what he is trying to do in his paintings is much too busy and almost looks cheesy. In many of his paintings, he tries to make it look traditional, but modern at the same time. Some of his art makes me feel like the subject is stuck in Wonderland. Wiley's work is definitely not dull at all, it is very colorful, but I feel that it takes away from the surrealist of the work. His work might appeal to those who like very busy pictures, but I'm not to sure why he decided to make it these paintings the way he did, they are not traditional looking at all.
The Paintings I Chose
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