Kehinde Wiley & Amy Sherald: Illustrating Blackness

Where is Kehinde Wiley from?

• New York, New York

• Chicago, Illinois
• Los Angeles, California

Answer explanation

Kehinde Wiley is from South Central Los Angeles, California.

Which artists inspired Kehinde Wiley?

(select ALL that apply)

• Francisco Goya

• Peter Paul Rubens

• Diego Velázquez

• Kerry James Marshall

• Charles White

Answer explanation

All of these artists inspired Kehinde Wiley.

Look at this painting by Bo Bartlett.

What about the subject of the painting do you think caused Amy Sherald to become emotional?

Explain your reasoning in 1-2 complete sentences.

Answer explanation

There are many reasons why the painting could have made Sherald emotional, and since we are not her, we would never know.

However, Sherald gave a follow up interview in which she said the following about the painting: "The image of a young black man looking at me, just seeing myself in that work was powerful,” she said. “I still feel the same about it and it’s still a great part of my inspiration as a figurative painter. It’s a reminder that there need to be more images out there existing in the world that can offer other children and people that same experience that I had in that moment when I first saw that painting in a museum.”

Amy Sherald has studied and is inspired by which art movement?

• American Realism

• Abstract Expressionism

• Impressionism

Answer explanation

Amy Sherald studied and was imspired by American Realism.

Look at the body language of the figures in this painting.

Which figure looks like they have limited freedoms? Which figure looks the most powerful?

Explain in 2-3 sentences.

Answer explanation

Based on the subject's body language, the figure shown in profile in the back has the least amount of power. Not only is this person's full face intentionally not being shown, but they are also depicted in the background performing a subservient task. The female subject in the center of the two men also has limited power. This is shown by her seated position with her hands folded in submission. The figure with the most power is the standing man in the red suit. We know this person is the most powerful because of his loose stance and ability to freely move about the picture. The choice of putting him in red also draws more attention and is an expression of authority.

What are some common elements Wiley uses in the background of his artworks?

(select ALL that apply.)

• Flowers

• Buildings

• Bright Color

• Symbols

Why was Amy Sherald nervous during the unveiling of Michelle Obama's portrait?

Explain in 1-2 complete sentences.

Answer explanation

According to the video, Sherald was nervous because she didn't know if the first lady would like her portrait. She was also nervous because she knew she wouldn't be able to make everyone happy.

Reflect on Wiley's quote:

"Portraiture is about the resistance of death."

What do you think Wiley is saying? How can a portrait of someone 'resist' that person's death?

Explain in 1-2 complete sentences.

_{*Hint: Resistance means to resist. Resist means to fight against, or to try to stop something from happening.*}

Answer explanation

There can be many interpretations, however many come down to how painting someones portrait will keep us from forgetting them, therefore they never die.

Do you think Amy Sherald is right for only wanting to paint black people?

• Yes, she is right.

• No, she is wrong.