February 28 …

Kehinde Wiley is an artist whose large-scale portraits and public sculptures reframe Black and brown subjects within the visual language of Old Master painting, profoundly altering contemporary conversations about representation in American art.

Born on February 28, 1977 in South Central Los Angeles to a Nigerian father and African American mother, Wiley displayed artistic talent early on, attending the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts and participating in a youth program in St. Petersburg, Russia. He obtained his BFA from the San Francisco Art Institute in 1999 and his MFA from the Yale School of Art in 2001.

A pivotal residency at the Studio Museum in Harlem from 2001 to 2002 introduced Wiley to a discarded mugshot that fueled his initial focus on portraiture and the recontextualization of everyday Black subjects.

Wiley’s achievements include internationally recognized solo exhibitions, particularly “Kehinde Wiley: A New Republic,” and significant public artworks like the bronze sculpture “Rumors of War” in 2019 and the stained-glass triptych “Go” located in Moynihan Train Hall in 2020. He created the 2018 portrait of President Barack Obama, becoming the first African American artist commissioned for an official presidential portrait.

Wiley’s accolades encompass the U.S. Department of State’s Medal of Arts, W.E.B. Du Bois Medal from Harvard, and Gordon Parks Foundation Award. He also has garnered recognition as Apollo Magazine’s Artist of the Year and honorary degrees from several institutions — including an honorary DFA from Yale. His work is featured in major collections around the globe.

Wiley’s artistic practice is deeply influenced by art-historical traditions such as Rococo and Neoclassical portraiture, as well as contemporary cultural trends. He acknowledges the impact of mentors such as Peggy Cooper Cafritz and values the residency mentorship he received at the Studio Museum in Harlem.

Wiley’s contemporaries include notable artists like Amy Sherald, Hank Willis Thomas, and Julie Mehretu. He has collaborated with various cultural figures from entertainment to sports, producing portraits of icons like Notorious B.I.G. and public commissions for brands like Puma.

In 2019, Wiley established the Black Rock Senegal residency, providing mentorship and support for artists from Africa and its diaspora. This solified his role as an influential figure for younger artists exploring the intersections of portraiture, identity, and public art.

Wiley’s impact on American art and culture is evident in his efforts to elevate the representation of Black subjects within traditional visual frameworks, instigating a reevaluation of who is depicted in museums and public installations. His work has ignited discussions surrounding power, history, and commemoration.

The celebratory and provocative elements of Kehinde Wiley have transformed conversations about race, masculinity, and history in the visual arts, while fostering greater opportunities and visibility for artists of the African diaspora.