The New Classic
Art history is not a static museum, it is a living dialogue in which everyone can participate
Kehinde Wiley
American painter known for recontextualizing Old Master paintings by positioning contemporary Black subjects in classical poses.
All moments: Kehinde Wiley
- Addressing the Ideal — Kehinde Wiley
Classical painting has set a very narrow standard of beauty. I need to expand that ideal
- Floral Design as Archive — Kehinde Wiley
The flowers behind my figures are not mere decoration, they are an archive, a history, a monument
- Dialogue Across Centuries — Kehinde Wiley
The Old Masters created a language of beauty. I use that same language but give it a new voice
- Dignity in Every Pose — Kehinde Wiley
I want to show that dignity and beauty exist not just in historical canon, but everywhere around us
- Portrait as Politics — Kehinde Wiley
To paint someone's portrait is an act of power. Whose image hangs in the museum determines who matters in society
- Rewriting History — Kehinde Wiley
Classical art has always excluded people like me. I take that history and rewrite it to include myself and my people
Related moments
- Birth of a Legend — Paul McCartney
The Beatles were about growth. We changed every single day.
- All Music Is Folk Music — Louis Armstrong
All music is folk music. I ain't never heard a horse sing a song.
- Alien Artist — David Bowie
I never tried to fit in. I prefer to be myself, even if it's alien.
- The Soul of Music — Questlove
Soul is what makes music real. It's what people feel
- Spontaneous Music — André 3000
The best music comes spontaneously. When you're not trying, it just appears
- A Song Is Blood — Paul McCartney
A melody comes to me like someone is singing it to me. It's magic.