About Kehinde Wiley
American · 1977–present · Contemporary, Portraiture
Kehinde Wiley reimagines classical portraiture with contemporary Black subjects, challenging art historical traditions.
Read full biography →Kehinde Wiley's works are held in 13 museums worldwide, including Harvard Art Museums, The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, and Saint Louis Art Museum.
🇬🇧 United Kingdom
1 museum
-
1 works
Victoria and Albert Museum
Cromwell Road, United Kingdom
🇺🇸 United States
12 museums
-
5 works
Harvard Art Museums
Cambridge, United States
Also in United StatesThe Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art (1)Saint Louis Art Museum (1)Seattle Art Museum (1)Minneapolis Institute of Art (1)Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art (1)Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts (1)Toledo Museum of Art (1)Detroit Institute of Arts (1)Los Angeles County Museum of Art (1)Museum of Fine Arts Boston (1)Metropolitan Museum of Art (1)
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Kehinde Wiley?
Kehinde Wiley is an artist celebrated for his large-scale portraits. Born in Los Angeles in 1977, his artistic journey began when his mother enrolled him in art classes at age 11. He is a graduate of the San Francisco Art Institute and Yale University School of Art.What is Kehinde Wiley known for?
Kehinde Wiley is known for his large-scale portraits that place contemporary Black subjects into the poses and settings of Old Master paintings. His work challenges traditional narratives by inserting Black individuals into historical contexts previously reserved for European aristocracy and religious figures. Perhaps his most widely recognised work is the official portrait of President Barack Obama.What was Kehinde Wiley's art style?
Kehinde Wiley's distinctive process often involves street casting, where he invites individuals he meets to pose for his works. These sitters, dressed in their own clothes, are then depicted in heroic stances, set against elaborate, often floral, backgrounds. This method subverts art historical conventions, offering a fresh perspective on power, status, and representation.
Sources
Where to See guide aggregates verified holdings of Kehinde Wiley's works across the following collections.
- [1] museum Harvard Art Museums Used for: museum holdings.
- [2] museum Victoria and Albert Museum Used for: museum holdings.
- [3] book Hodge, Susie;, Artists at Home Used for: biography.
- [4] book Beard, Lee, 1973- author, Butler, Adam, author; Van Cleave, Claire, author; Fortenberry, Diane, author; Stirling, Susan, author, Beard, Lee, 1973- author, Butler, Adam, author; Van Cleave, Claire, author; Fortenberry, Diane, author; Stirling, Susan, author - The Art Book_ New Edition, Mini Format Used for: biography.
Editorial overseen by Solis Prints. Sources verified 2026-06-18. Click a source for details, or hover over [N] in the page above to preview.
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