Source link : https://las-vegas-news.com/artist-kehinde-wiley-places-energy-in-a-brand-new-body-with-work-of-african-leaders/
RABAT, Morocco (AP) — American artist Kehinde Wiley unveiled a collection of large-format portraits of African leaders in Morocco on Tuesday, constructing on his now well-known 2018 portrait of former U.S. President Barack Obama sitting casually amid a wild cascade of leaves and flowers.
His exhibition, entitled “A Maze of Power,” opened on the Mohammed VI Museum of Trendy and Up to date Artwork in Rabat, Morocco’s capital, after beforehand exhibiting in Paris and Dakar, Senegal.
The paintings borrows from classical easel portray strategies, posing African leaders in a mode primarily related to European royalty and aristocracy.
“What I wanted to do was to draw ideas in, to be able to look at the depiction of power, both beautifully and problematically,” Wiley mentioned.
In a single portrait, Ethiopia’s former president, Sahle-Work Zewde, stands earlier than a window, her nation’s bustling capital stretching behind her as her hand clasps a dangling flower.
In one other, Hery Rajaonarimampianina, former president of Madagascar, is depicted sitting confidently astride a horse. And Alassane Ouattara, president of Ivory Coast, is seen clenching his forehead as he grips a sword in his proper hand.
“I was thinking about the presidency at large as a symbol, as a seat of power,” Wiley informed The Related Press on the opening of his exhibition.
“A Maze of Power” arrived in Morocco seven months after first exhibiting at Paris’ Musée du Quai Branly…
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Author : LasVegasNews
Publish date : 2025-04-16 02:09:00
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