teddy leinbach-artist post

Kehinde Wiley is a famous artist that I am sure you have heard of.  He has a piece at the VMFA and is widely known.  His work explores 2 different cultures that are rarely put together in such blatant fashion.  he paints elegant images of black people posing in front of classical, high-class backgrounds, usually some sort of regal, flowery pattern.  In my opinion, the most striking aspect of his paintings is the culture that is portrayed in the subjects he paints.  He doesn't manipulate the person at all.  If the subject is wearing Jordans, that is what he paints,  if they are wearing a baggy track-suit, that is what he paints.  All of his subjects break stereotypes about what goes into a "classical-style" painting.  Because of this breaking of stylistic stereotypes, juxtaposed with the classical backgrounds and themes, a feeling of cognitive dissonance arises in the viewer, making the viewer question issues on race, stereotypes, and their own personal racism.

http://kehindewiley.com/