Leviathan Zodiac 2011

Curator: At first glance, this piece feels vibrant. The rich blue and gold, the commanding pose… It’s immediately striking. Editor: Absolutely. Today we're examining Kehinde Wiley’s oil on canvas piece, "Leviathan Zodiac", created in 2011. Wiley is renowned for his portraits of Black individuals, often referencing classical paintings. In this particular work, we see the continuation of his exploration of race, masculinity, and power. Curator: Wiley’s skill with composition is on full display here. Look at the intricate details of the background versus the foreground. Note also how his model stands centrally. Can you say more about the context and any interweaving social and political dimensions of identity? Editor: Wiley uses traditional portraiture to subvert historical power dynamics, centering Black figures, whose representation have been historically marginalized, within visual languages associated with European aristocracy. This work places its Black model in front of symbols taken from different historical sources, thereby asserting cultural influence and belonging. Curator: Right, because these decorative elements surrounding the central figure—floral patterns, zodiac symbols—blur the boundaries between portraiture and pattern. Editor: Yes. It invites a broader conversation around representation, challenging the exclusion of people of color from positions of power, historically symbolized in visual forms of expression. How might this speak to broader questions around race, class, or cultural power? Curator: For me, it invites reflections about gender and challenges conventional notions of male identity within these constructed scenarios. I believe it’s about challenging viewers to confront historical narratives of privilege and exclusion through contemporary representations of masculinity. Editor: Indeed. There is a compelling juxtaposition that leads viewers to reflect on both past injustices and current conversations about identity and power. Curator: Wiley asks critical questions about race and gender dynamics in artistic and political arenas and invites all to ask if contemporary portraiture practices should seek greater egalitarian representations. Editor: “Leviathan Zodiac”, then, transcends its visual allure, asking meaningful questions of its viewers. Curator: And reminding us of art's powerful potential for social commentary.