kehinde wiley: colorful realm

this striking volume presents a new body of work by american painter kehinde wiley, who is best known for his vibrant portraiture of black people that challenges the hierarchies and conventions of classical european and american portraiture. drawing inspiration from japanese nature paintings of the edo period (ca. 1600–1868), wiley parallels traditional techniques and materials in these monumental works. exposed linen in the background of the paintings highlights the natural elements of the scenes while preserving a delicate balance of untouched picture space. by recontextualizing the naturalist landscape genre from a non-western perspective, wiley opens new ways of thinking about humanity’s relationship with nature.

following the artist’s sixth solo exhibition at roberts projects in los angeles, this richly illustrated catalog includes commissioned essays that place wiley’s work within the historical context of japanese painting as well as contemporary black art. in wiley’s own words, “in this new turn, i’m trying to break open the conversation again toward what nature really means in the 21st century, in an era of widespread ecological disasters. our relationship with nature is increasingly in a perilous position. it invites a reinterpretation of not only an incredible opportunity to explore the vastness and the beauty of nature, but also the astonishing fragility and sadness that surrounds us, and lost opportunities.”

kehinde wiley (born 1977) was the first black artist to paint an official u.s. presidential portrait, created for former president barack obama. wiley has held solo exhibitions throughout the united states and internationally, and his work is included in the collections of more than 40 public institutions worldwide.