Final answer:
Kehinde Wiley is a prominent artist recognized for his portrait of President Barack Obama. He intertwines the styles of Old Masters with contemporary African and urban motifs to present people of color in empowering ways, using a mix of realist and decorative techniques.
Step-by-step explanation:
Kehinde Wiley is a contemporary African-American artist known for his unique and vibrant paintings. Born in Los Angeles in 1977, Wiley embarked on his artistic journey at a young age, attending after-school art programs and even studying art abroad in Russia at the age of eleven. After receiving his BFA from the San Francisco Art Institute and an MFA from Yale University, he has become an influential figure in the art world, blending the grandeur of Old Masters' portraits with elements of contemporary African and urban culture.
The most renowned painting by Kehinde Wiley is his portrait of former President Barack Obama, which was unveiled in 2018 for the National Portrait Gallery. The portrait depicts Obama seated against a lush, botanical backdrop that references his diverse heritage and personal history, adding layers of meaning to the dignified representation of the 44th president.
The purpose of Wiley's paintings is to reframe the perception of black and brown individuals, presenting them in poses traditionally associated with power, heroism, and spirituality. He achieves this through a hybrid technique that incorporates elements of West African textiles, Rococo flourishes, and urban aesthetics, juxtaposed with the realism typical of classical portraiture. Wiley selects real people from various locations to pose in his paintings, elevating them to a grand, historical context through his transformative art.