Exhibition Review: Kehinde Wiley | Havana
Portrait of Emilio Hernandez Gonzalez, 2023
oil on linen
painting: 72 x 60 inches (182.9 x 152.4 cm)
framed: 82 1/4 x 70 1/2 x 3 3/4 inches (208.9 x 179.1 x 9.5 cm)
signed by the artist, verso
© Kehinde Wiley
Courtesy: Sean Kelly
Written by Amanda Smith
Copy Edited by Robyn Hager
Photo Edited by Olivia Castillo and Amanda Smith
Kehinde Wiley's oeuvre is majestic and bold, showcasing the resilience and beauty of people of color. His portraits challenge traditional representations of power and privilege by depicting his subjects in heroic postures with intricate patterns and backgrounds. Bringing classical portraiture into the 21st century and integrating it with the African diaspora is one of the striking capabilities of the artist, and his work is a unique intersection of art history and contemporary culture with classical European portraiture serving as the canvas for the elegant artwork.
Portrait of Yaima Polledo & Isabel Pozo, 2023
oil on linen
painting: 108 x 81 15/16 inches (274.3 x 208.2 cm)
framed: 118 3/8 x 92 3/8 x 3 3/4 inches (300.7 x 234.6 x 9.5 cm)
signed by the artist, verso
© Kehinde Wiley
Photo: Max Yawney
Courtesy: Sean Kelly
"Havana" is a multifaceted mix of monumental paintings exploring the phenomenon of the carnivalesque in Western culture, and showcases the exploration of intersecting identities and cultural histories influenced by Cuba. The exhibition places emphasis on Cuba's cultural, emotional, and artistic significance as a point of convergence with African diasporic cultures. Photography plays a significant role in the painting process, as Kehinde uses it as a reference for his paintings while also collaborating with his subjects to create the final artwork.
Portrait of Anet Arias, 2023
oil on linen
painting: 48 x 36 inches (121.9 x 91.4 cm)
framed: 56 1/2 x 44 5/8 x 3 1/2 inches (143.5 x 113.3 x 8.9 cm)
signed by the artist, verso
© Kehinde Wiley
Photo: Max Yawney
Courtesy: Sean Kelly
The muses of his portraits exude a sense of valor, capturing people of color in triumphant poses, set against intricate and captivating patterns and backdrops. These works are a challenge to the conventional portrayal of power and privilege and are elevated by the classical themes of art history to provoke a dialogue between past and present. Through his art, Wiley implores viewers to engage with the contemporary political and social issues of our time, urging us to reflect on our own place within this broader conversation.
Portrait of Erika Gray Ferro, 2023
oil on linen
painting: 48 x 36 inches (121.9 x 91.4 cm)
framed: 56 5/8 x 44 1/2 x 3 1/2 inches (143.7 x 113 x 8.9 cm)
signed by the artist, verso
© Kehinde Wiley
Photo: Max Yawney
Courtesy: Sean Kelly
The collection creates a timeline in which political realities, economic hardship, artistic freedom, and the thirst for self-discovery become the catalyst for exploring a nation and culture through painting. He draws on the symbolic context of the carnival, historically a rare opportunity for the formerly enslaved to experience moments of freedom and grace that were otherwise forbidden. Wiley also explores the circus as a site of disruption for the rational mind, with its performers embracing a dynamic and vibrant way of navigating, living, and being.
Portrait of Yadiel Arrozaceno Dorticós, 2023
oil on linen
painting: 72 x 60 inches (182.9 x 152.4 cm)
framed: 82 3/8 x 70 5/16 x 3 3/4 inches (209.2 x 178.6 x 9.5 cm)
signed by the artist, verso
© Kehinde Wiley
Courtesy: Sean Kelly
Through his application of bold colors, intricate patterns, and dynamic poses, Wiley captures the energy and spirit of his subjects, inviting viewers to engage with the complex themes and ideas embedded within his work. His technique celebrates the boundless energy, evolution, and resilience of Afro-Caribbean culture while also acknowledging the historic enslavement of Black bodies, inspiring viewers to reflect on the complex politics of race and power in the art world.
Portrait of Rassiel Alfonso Leonard & Nairobys C. Placeres Riviero, 2023
oil on linen
painting: 108 x 72 inches (274.3 x 182.9 cm)
framed: 117 7/8 x 82 3/16 x 3 3/4 inches (299.4 x 208.8 x 9.5 cm)
signed by the artist, verso
© Kehinde Wiley
Photo: Max Yawney
Courtesy: Sean Kelly
The "Havana" exhibition showcases Wiley's exceptional creative vision and attention to detail, with each work offering a unique expression of his genius. His portraits are a sensation of visual beauty, challenging the pervasive lack of representation and redefining the boundaries of art and inclusivity.
