I juxtaposed the work of Kehinde Wiley and Steve Mumford in this post. Obviously, both artists invoke the old masters to dramatize the social and political subject of their pantings.  But I urge you to take a deeper look at the works, alone and together, and see what you come up with! 

I really enjoyed reading Holland Cotters review of Wiley’s work in NYTimes

“Mr. Wiley has used old cultural tools to create a new rule. At the same time, these young aristocrats are presented in settings and poses traditionally associated with masculine dominance, updated with hip-hop attire. ”


Artist Info:

Kehinde Wiley’s works reference specific paintings by Titian and Tiepolo, but he incorporates a range of art historical and vernacular styles in his paintings, from the French Rococo to the contemporary urban street. Wiley collapses history and style into a uniquely contemporary vision. He describes his approach as “interrogating the notion of the master painter, at once critical and complicit.” He makes figurative paintings that “quote historical sources and position young black men within that field of ‘power.’” His “slightly heroic” figures, slightly larger than life size, are depicted in poses of power and spiritual awakening. He deliberately mixes images of power and spirituality, using them as a filter in the portrayal of masculinity. Kehinde Wiley’s exhibition Infinite Mobility recently appeared at the Brooklyn Museum in New York. 

Deitch Projects most recent exhibition of new work by Kehinde Wiley was Rumors of War that ran from November 11 through December 10, 2005, at our 76 Grand St. space

EDITION #38: STEVE MUMFORDART TALK - Rush Interactivelisten | listen with RealPlayer 
First broadcast April; 2, 2010 

Steve Mumford began making trips to war torn Iraq in 2003 solely as an artist wanting to record what he saw there. Six long trips since then have produced hundreds of spontaneous drawings that each offer a very personal view of daily life among soldiers and civilians, Iraqis and enemy combatants. Unique among contemporary artists, Mumford engages in his work elements of life that few Americans think about. He speaks with host Michael Rush at Chelsea’s Postmasters, where his 2010 exhibition—composed of a series of very large, Caravaggio-inspired canvases—surround visitors with exquisitely rendered depictions of present day Iraq (35 minutes).