Kehinde Wiley (American, b. 1977). Shantavia Beale II, 2012. Oil on canvas, 60 x 48 in. (152.4 x 121.9 cm). Collection of Ana and Lenny Gravier, courtesy Sean Kelly, New York. © Kehinde Wiley.
Photo: Jason Wyche
The Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth is spectacular on all fronts with its architecturally striking exterior and the selection of permanent artworks and exhibitions. Kehinde Wiley: A New Republic is on until 10 January 2016, showcasing the artist’s 14-year career with 60 works. The exhibition begins with early examples of paintings inspired by Wiley’s observations of street life in Harlem; these images of African-American men mark the onset of his focused exploration of the male figure. In subsequent work, Wiley further examines the European tradition of portraiture, taking specific paintings by renowned masters such as Titian, Van Dyck, and Manet and replacing the historical subjects with contemporary, young black people sporting fashionable urban gear.
