"The 4th graders recently learned about the artist Kehinde (KA - HIN - DAY)Wiley. He was born in California in 1977. His father is from Africa and his mother is African-American. As a child, his mother supported his interest in art and enrolled him in after school art classes. At the age of 12, he spent a short time at an art school in Russia.
Wiley's painting style are heroic portraits which address the image and status of young African-American men in modern culture.
Wiley paints in a realistic manner and makes references to specific Old Master paintings. Wiley's slightly larger than life size figures are depicted in a heroic manner and their poses show power.
The painting titled “Napoleon Leading the Army over the Alps” is inspired by a famous painting and reinvented by Wiley. He is an African rider wearing modern army fatigues and a bandanna. The people shown in his paintings are based on photographs of young men who Wiley sees on the street.
Wiley’s paintings combine history and style in a unique and new manner. Check out the 4th grade’s own Wiley-inspired Self Portraits in the hallway today!"