Kehinde Wiley Biography, Education, Career, Controversies, And Net Worth
Kehinde Wiley born February 28, 1977 is an American portrait painter based in New York City. Known for his naturalistic paintings of Black people that reference the work of Old Master paintings, Wiley gained widespread acclaim after being commissioned to paint former President Barack Obama’s portrait for the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery in 2017. His work, celebrated for addressing the image and status of young African-American men in contemporary culture, has been exhibited globally, including notable exhibitions at the Columbus Museum of Art and many international venues.
Kehinde Wiley Profile
| Name | Kehinde Wiley |
| Real Name | Kehinde Wiley |
| Date of Birth | 28 February 1977 |
| Age | 47 years |
| Nationality | American / Nigerian |
| Occupation | Portrait painter |
| Religion | Christianity |
| Marital Status | Single |
| Net Worth | $10 Million |
| Copied from | contents101.com |
Educational Background
Kehinde Wiley pursued formal art education at the San Francisco Art Institute, where he earned his Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA). He furthered his studies at Yale University, obtaining a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) in 2001.
Career
Wiley’s early career was marked by his residency at the Studio Museum in Harlem, where he began incorporating elements from classical portraiture into his work. A crumpled mugshot found on the street influenced his exploration of Black male identity and societal portrayals in his paintings. His series “Conspicuous Fraud Series #1 (Eminence)” and “Mugshot Study” are rooted in these early influences.
Expanding beyond Harlem, Wiley’s “The World Stage” series features models from urban environments globally, including Mumbai, Senegal, and Rio de Janeiro. These works juxtapose contemporary clothing and poses with historical artistic styles, sparking conversations about heritage and identity.
In 2017, Wiley was commissioned to paint President Barack Obama’s portrait for the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery. Unveiled in 2018, the portrait features Obama seated among symbolic flowers representing significant locations in his life. The commission marked a historic moment as Wiley became the first Black artist to paint an official presidential portrait.
Wiley’s “Rumors of War” series, beginning in 2005, reimagines heroic equestrian statues with contemporary Black men. Inspired by Confederate monuments in Richmond, Virginia, Wiley created a 30-foot-tall statue depicting a young Black man in modern attire. The statue was unveiled in Times Square before being moved to the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts.
Wiley has held numerous exhibitions, including a retrospective at the Seattle Art Museum in 2016 and “Trickster” at the Sean Kelly Gallery in 2017. He opened a studio in Beijing in 2006 and created “Go,” a stained-glass installation at Penn Station in New York City, his first permanent, site-specific work in glass.
Controversies
In May 2024, artist Joseph Awuah-Darko accused Wiley of sexual assault, alleging incidents during a 2021 event in Ghana. Wiley denied the allegations, claiming a consensual relationship. The case received significant media attention and sparked discussions about power dynamics and consent within the art community.
Kehinde Wiley Social Media Handle
https://www.instagram.com/kehindewiley/?hl=en
Personal Life
Kehinde Wiley is a twin who identifies as a gay man and has been open about his sexuality, stating that his passion lies with men. He was born in Los Angeles, California, in 1977, Wiley hails from diverse heritage. His father, Isaiah D. Obot, originates from Nigeria and is of Ibibio descent, while his mother, Freddie Mae Wiley, is of African-American descent.
Kehinde Wiley Net Worth
As of 2024, Kehinde Wiley’s net worth is estimated to be around $10 Million, attributed to his successful art career, international exhibitions, and high-profile commissions.
