Kehinde Wiley, Obama Painter, Is Taking His Art Everywhere

Kehinde Wiley is a well-known and influential¹ American artist. His paintings and sculptures are the subject of art shows around the United States.

The 46-year-old Wiley seems especially busy right now. His work is currently² on display at shows on both the East and West coasts of the U.S. He has another show in Paris, France. And he is expanding artistic³ bases in Africa.

Wiley shot to fame outside of the art world a few years ago, after he painted an official presidential portrait. It was historic⁴. Wiley was the first Black artist to be commissioned for the work. He painted America's first Black president, Barack Obama.

In Wiley's painting, Obama sits in a simple chair, his arms crossed, his body leaned a bit forward. Surrounding him is a colorful explosion of natural elements, like flowers and greenery. It was a powerful and untraditional representation⁵ for an historic presidency⁶.

Wiley said he is very proud of that work, noting the importance of that time in history.

"I wonder if I will ever be able to do anything that lives up to the gravity of that moment," he said. "Everybody wants to be seen in a number of different contexts⁸ ... but I mean, what a great project to be involved in."

There is no shortage⁹ of new projects for Wiley. In March, Wiley was at the de Young Museum in San Francisco, California, for the U.S opening of Kehinde Wiley: An Archaeology¹⁰ of Silence. It is a powerful mix of some of Wiley's huge paintings and sculptures that explore anti-Black violence worldwide. The museum has set up quiet spaces for attendees who need a break from the intensity¹¹ of the show.

On the other side of the country, Wiley also recently opened his show HAVANA at New York City's art space Sean Kelly. The show centers on circus performers and carnival¹² street dancers in Cuba.

In between, the artist traveled to Africa. He is building an artist center in Calabar, Nigeria. Black Rock Nigeria will be his second artist center on the continent. Wiley is also at work on a new portrait show that centers on Black heads of state. That show is to open in September at the Musée du Quai Branly in Paris.

Wiley describes a kind of rhythm to his moving about the planet, visiting "extraordinary" places. He said he is always "hungry for new experiences."

HAVANA, Wiley's show in New York, closes June 17. San Francisco's Kehinde Wiley: An Archaeology of Silence will run through October 15.

Words in This Story

display – n. a setting or presentation of something in open view

portrait – n. a picture of a person usually showing the face

context⁷ – n. the parts of something written or spoken that are near a certain word or group of words and that help to explain its meaning

carnival – n. a season or festival of merrymaking before Lent

circus – n. a show that usually travels from place to place and that has a variety of exhibitions including acrobatic feats¹³, wild animal displays, and performances by clowns

moment – n. a time of importance or success

rhythm – n. a movement or activity in which some action repeats regularly

sculpture – n. the act, process, or art of carving or cutting hard substances, modeling plastic substances, or casting melted metals into works of art

1 influential   

adj.有影响的，有权势的

参考例句：

• He always tries to get in with the most influential people.他总是试图巴结最有影响的人物。
• He is a very influential man in the government.他在政府中是个很有影响的人物。

2 currently   

adv.通常地，普遍地，当前

参考例句：

• Currently it is not possible to reconcile this conflicting evidence.当前还未有可能去解释这一矛盾的例证。
• Our contracts are currently under review.我们的合同正在复查。

3 artistic   

adj.艺术(家)的，美术(家)的；善于艺术创作的

参考例句：

• The picture on this screen is a good artistic work.这屏风上的画是件很好的艺术品。
• These artistic handicrafts are very popular with foreign friends.外国朋友很喜欢这些美术工艺品。

4 historic   

adj.历史上著名的，具有历史意义的

参考例句：

• This is a historic occasion.这是具有重大历史意义的时刻。
• We are living in a great historic era.我们正处在一个伟大的历史时代。

5 representation   

n.表现某人（或某事物）的东西，图画，雕塑

参考例句：

• The painting is a representation of a storm at sea.这幅画描绘的是海上的暴风雨。
• All parties won representation in the national assembly.所有政党在国民大会中都赢得了代表资格。

6 presidency   

n.总统(校长，总经理)的职位(任期)

参考例句：

• Roosevelt was elected four times to the presidency of the United States.罗斯福连续当选四届美国总统。
• Two candidates are emerging as contestants for the presidency.两位候选人最终成为总统职位竞争者。

7 context   

n.背景，环境，上下文，语境

参考例句：

• You can always tell the meaning of a word from its context.你常可以从上下文中猜出词义来。
• This sentence does not seem to connect with the context.这个句子似乎与上下文脱节。

8 contexts   

上下文( context的名词复数 )； 背景； 投资环境； 设备场境

参考例句：

• Even seemingly innocuous words are offensive in certain contexts. 甚至看似毫无恶意的言辞在某些语境下都会引起冒犯。
• Handheld devices are used in a variety of specific contexts. 手持设备会用在各种各样的具体情境下。 来自About Face 3交互设计精髓

9 shortage   

n.缺少，缺乏，不足

参考例句：

• The city is suffering a desperate shortage of water.这个城市严重缺水。
• The heart of the problem is a shortage of funds.问题的关键是缺乏经费。

10 archaeology   

n.考古学

参考例句：

• She teaches archaeology at the university.她在大学里教考古学。
• He displayed interest in archaeology.他对考古学有兴趣。

11 intensity   

n.强烈，剧烈；强度；烈度

参考例句：

• I didn't realize the intensity of people's feelings on this issue.我没有意识到这一问题能引起群情激奋。
• The strike is growing in intensity.罢工日益加剧。

12 carnival   

n.嘉年华会，狂欢，狂欢节，巡回表演

参考例句：

• I got some good shots of the carnival.我有几个狂欢节的精彩镜头。
• Our street puts on a carnival every year.我们街的居民每年举行一次嘉年华会。

13 feats   

功绩，伟业，技艺( feat的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• He used to astound his friends with feats of physical endurance. 过去，他表现出来的惊人耐力常让朋友们大吃一惊。
• His heroic feats made him a legend in his own time. 他的英雄业绩使他成了他那个时代的传奇人物。