Article Reflection No. 35 (12/27/2022)

Article: How the Artist Kehinde Wiley Went from Picturing Power to Building It

Reflection:

In The New Yorker article “How the Artist Kehinde Wiley Went from Picturing Power to Building It”, journalist Julian Lucas describes the life of Kehinde Wiley, a forty-five-year-old artist whose portraits spark inspiration for audiences. To find models for his paintings, Wiley roamed the streets of Matonge, Brussels, offering three hundred euros. According to the article, the artist was skilled in art from a young age, and pursued an educated career as he attended Yale and the San Francisco Art Institute.

Humility is priceless, acting as a necessity in feeling grateful and fulfilled. I am glad that another person practices feeling humble through his methods of artistry. No matter what someone’s accomplishments may appear to be at first glance, there is often so much more than that initial judgment. Although many people Wiley encountered on the streets displayed doubt towards the artist’s credibility and skill, he is a role model to those who know his art and aspire to be an artist.

Kehinde Wiley's 2018 portrait of former President Barack Obama. (Torrance Art Museum)