Is Kehinde Wiley Still Alive, Who Is Kehinde Wiley, What Is Kehinde Wiley Doing Now?
by Subhashree M
Updated Feb 14, 2023
Is Kehinde Wiley Still Alive?
Yes, Kehinde Wiley still alive the renowned American portrait painter, is currently alive and actively pursuing his artistic career. His impressive body of work has been showcased in solo exhibitions across the United States and internationally, earning him recognition from art institutions all over the world. With over 50 public collections featuring his art, Wiley's paintings have captivated audiences across the globe with their vivid and dynamic representation of black culture. In addition to his artistic endeavors, Wiley is also the Founder and President of Black Rock Senegal, an artist-in-residence program aimed at fostering cultural exchange between Africa and the rest of the world. Wiley currently divides his time between Beijing, Dakar, and New York, where he lives, and continues to produce awe-inspiring works of art.
Who Is Kehinde Wiley?
Kehinde Wiley is a contemporary American artist who is known for his large-scale paintings of Black people in classical poses. He was born in Los Angeles in 1977 and raised in South Central LA. He received his BFA from the San Francisco Art Institute and his MFA from Yale University. He has exhibited his work internationally and has received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to the art world.
What Is Kehinde Wiley Doing Now?
As per the source, Kehinde Wiley was continuing to create artwork and exhibit his work internationally. In 2020, he unveiled a new sculpture called "Rumors of War" in Richmond, Virginia, which features a young Black man on horseback in a pose similar to that of Confederate general Robert E. Lee.
After gaining fame for his portrait of President Obama, Kehinde Wiley is now opening Black Rock, a luxurious artist residency program located in Senegal.
Who Is Kehinde Wiley And What Does He Do?
Kehinde Wiley is a contemporary artist who creates large-scale paintings and sculptures of Black people in classical poses. He reimagines historical European portraits by replacing the original figures with contemporary Black people, often dressed in urban streetwear. His work addresses issues of race, power, and representation.
Kehinde Wiley Facts
Kehinde Wiley Biography
Kehinde Wiley, an American portrait painter based in New York City, has gained recognition for his highly naturalistic paintings of Black people. Institutions such as the United Federation of Teachers have named him Artist of the Year in 2011, and his work has been displayed in venues like the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. In 2017, he was commissioned to paint a portrait of former President Barack Obama for the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery, which displays portraits of all US presidents. Described by The Columbus Museum of Art as creating heroic portraits that address the image and status of young African-American men in contemporary culture, Wiley's father is Nigerian and his mother is African-American. He traveled to Nigeria at the age of 20 to explore his family roots there. Wiley earned his BFA from the San Francisco Art Institute in 1999 and his MFA from Yale University, School of Art in 2001. He also served as an artist-in-residence at the Studio Museum in Harlem.
Kehinde Wiley's Net Worth
Kehinde Wiley's net worth is estimated to be around $ 5 million, which is largely attributed to his successful career as a portrait painter. With his distinct style of painting Black people in heroic poses, Wiley has gained popularity and recognition from various institutions, art collectors, and celebrities, leading to the sale of his works for millions of dollars. For instance, his 2018 painting "Equestrian Portrait of King Philip II" was sold at Sotheby's for $2.6 million, setting a new auction record for the artist. Wiley's works have also been acquired by various prestigious museums and galleries, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the National Portrait Gallery in London, and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, further boosting his reputation and value as an artist. Along with his successful career in painting, Wiley has also ventured into other creative fields, including film and music, further expanding his artistic endeavors and potentially adding to his overall net worth.
Kehinde Wiley Age
Kehinde Wiley was born on February 28, 1977, which makes him currently 45 years old. Despite being relatively young in the art world, Wiley has already made a significant impact with his unique style of portraiture. Over the course of his career, he has gained numerous accolades, including being named Artist of the Year by the United Federation of Teachers in 2011.
Kehinde Wiley Twitter
Kehinde Wiley had a Twitter account (@kehindewileyart) with over 50,000 followers. Please stay connected with us for more latest updates.
Is Kehinde Wiley Still Alive - FAQs
Wiley is best known for his paintings of Black people in heroic poses that challenge traditional depictions of Blackness in art. His works have been displayed in various exhibitions and public collections worldwide.
Yes, Kehinde Wiley is still alive.
Kehinde Wiley was born on 28 February 1977. Now, his age is 45 years old.
Although Kehinde Wiley is generally private about his personal life, he has publicly identified as a gay man. One of his works, Saint John the Baptist, which is included in the collection of the National Museum of African American History and Culture, features his partner, Craig Fletcher.
After gaining fame for his portrait of President Obama, Kehinde Wiley is now opening Black Rock, a luxurious artist residency program located in Senegal.