Christ After Lady Macbeth I 2016

Kehinde Wiley created this painting, Christ After Lady Macbeth I, using oils to create an image that really messes with your head. The handling of the paint, it’s so smooth, so controlled, it almost feels unreal. Look at the way Wiley plays with the Old Masters, but with a twist. The textures are unreal. The crown of thorns, those clouds behind the figure, it’s all rendered so meticulously. It’s like he’s saying, "I can do this, but I’m going to do it my way." Notice the figure’s torso. The shadowing in that area is incredible and helps to further define his muscles and his figure. I could only wish to blend so well. This approach reminds me a little of what David Hockney does, taking something classic and giving it a jolt into the present. Wiley’s work is all about taking these grand historical paintings and making them speak to today. It’s about opening up the conversation, not closing it down.