Kehinde Wiley, the first African American to paint an official Presidential portrait, is exhibiting a new body of work inspired by the collection of the Saint Louis Art Museum (SLAM). Selected by former President Barack Obama to paint his portrait for the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery, Wiley merges contemporary African American portraiture with historical masterworks, placing an under-represented people firmly in view, addressing the politics of race and power in art.
“Kehinde uses works in the Saint Louis Art Museum’s collection as a starting point for observations about race and representation throughout the history of art,” says Brent R. Benjamin, the Barbara B. Taylor Director of the Saint Louis Art Museum. “We are extraordinarily honored to collaborate with Kehinde on this exhibition.”