Wiley portrays colored men in his paintings because when looking at art in museums, he always noticed that there were no paintings of black men. He was inspired by the African American painter Kerry James Marshall, whose work fascinated Wiley with the feeling of a “certain relationship” between himself and the painting. He isn’t too particular about physical characteristics, and focuses more on their personality. When finding models, he looks for “alpha male behavior and sensibility”, but will cast someone regardless of size or body type. The backgrounds serve two purposes, one being decoration, and the other as a form of identification or symbolism. By using the decorative backgrounds, there is no focus on a location, but only on the decorative aspects of the painting. Wiley is inspired by the local fabric, wallpaper, textiles, ornaments, or architecture of the country in which the model originated, serving as a representation of the creativity of that place. Wiley’s portraits are both vibrant and unique. Not many, if any, other renowned artists are using their art to portray those of color in the powerful or elegant way that, historically, was reserved for white people of power. By mimicking paintings of white, elite members of society and turning them into portraits of average colored people, he can create the connection with the colored community that he once felt.
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The AuthorA humble senior at Plantation High School hoping to expand her abilities in digital art. Archives
May 2015
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