Shmuel Yosef 2011

Kehinde Wiley’s portrait of Shmuel Yosef employs traditional oil paint on canvas to bring a contemporary vision to life. Wiley is known for using the language of grand, historical portraiture, but often depicts young Black men he encounters on the street. The sharp realism of the figure is set against a swirling, decorative background, creating a striking contrast. Look closely, and you’ll notice how the patterns echo those found in textiles and wallpaper, adding depth and richness to the composition. Wiley's method involves collaboration, inviting his models to select poses from art historical sources, so this isn't just painting, it's a re-framing of power dynamics. He’s engaging with a long history of portraiture, but in doing so, he asks us to consider who gets to be represented, and how. It’s a powerful statement about visibility, representation, and the way that art can reflect and reshape our understanding of society. Ultimately, Wiley blurs the lines between past and present, high art and popular culture, challenging the very notion of who gets to be immortalized in art.