Kehinde Wiley: An Archaeology of Silence

Kehinde Wiley is a world-renowned visual artist working in the mediums of painting, sculpture, and video.  He is best known for his vibrant portrayals of contemporary African American and African-diasporic individuals that subvert the hierarchies and conventions of European and American portraiture. Wiley became the first African American artist to paint an official US Presidential portrait for former US President Barack Obama. An Archaeology of Silencefeatures a new body of painting and sculptures by the artist confronting the legacies of colonialism through the visual language of the fallen figure.  The paintings of Black bodies struck down reference iconic historical paintings of slain heroes, martyrs, or saints, offering a haunting meditation on the violence against Black and brown bodies through the lens of European art history. 

Hardcover

159 pages

9.25 x 10.25 inches