• Restaurants + Bars
  • Entertainment
  • Arts
  • Society
  • City Life
  • Fashion + Beauty
  • Real Estate
  • Home + Design
  • Travel
  • City Guide
  • Events
  • Charity Guide
  • Subscribe
  • Cities
  • Austin
  • Dallas
  • Houston
  • San Antonio
  • Fort Worth
Cities
  • Austin
  • Dallas
  • Houston
  • San Antonio
  • Fort Worth
culturemap logo
  • Restaurants + Bars

    THE LATEST

    Celestina Blok: These are the 8 best food and drink events in Fort Worth this week
    This week in gluttony
    These are the 8 best food and drink events in Fort Worth this week
    By Celestina Blok
    Teresa Gubbins: Portillo's deploys food truck to Dallas-Fort Worth to preview its famed Chicago hot dog
    Pop-Up News
    Portillo's deploys food truck to DFW to preview its Chicago hot dog
    By Teresa Gubbins
    Teresa Gubbins: Fresh new Mexican spot leads this round of Fort Worth restaurant news
    News You Can Eat
    Fresh new Mexican spot leads this round of Fort Worth restaurant news
    By Teresa Gubbins

    SPONSORED BY

  • Entertainment

    THE LATEST

    Stephanie Allmon Merry: Former TCU tennis star Cam Norrie earns royal salute as 2022 Wimbledon semifinalist
    Horned Frogs Across the Pond
    TCU tennis star Cam Norrie gets royal salute as Wimbledon semifinalist
    By Stephanie Allmon Merry
    Stephanie Allmon Merry: Billy Bob's Texas renovates showroom to improve concert sound and viewing
    Honky-tonk news
    Billy Bob's Texas renovates showroom to improve concert sound, viewing
    By Stephanie Allmon Merry
    Alex Bentley: Amon Carter Museum brings back free summer series for families this month
    Fort Worth freebies
    Amon Carter Museum brings back free summer series for families in July
    By Alex Bentley

    SPONSORED BY

  • Arts

    THE LATEST

    Stephanie Allmon Merry: Arlington museum draws in Disney fans with magical new animation exhibit
    Wonderful world of Disney
    Arlington museum draws Disney fans with magical new animation exhibit
    By Stephanie Allmon Merry
    Alex Bentley: Amon Carter Museum brings back free summer series for families this month
    Fort Worth freebies
    Amon Carter Museum brings back free summer series for families in July
    By Alex Bentley
    Lindsey Wilson: These are the 15 can't-miss shows in Dallas-Fort Worth theater for July
    Theater Critic Picks
    These are the 15 can't-miss shows in DFW theater for July
    By Lindsey Wilson

    SPONSORED BY

  • Society

    THE LATEST

    Stephanie Allmon Merry: Cliburn celebrates 2022 winners with primo party in Fort Worth's Sundance Square
    Gold-medal gathering
    Cliburn celebrates 2022 winners with primo party in Sundance Square
    By Stephanie Allmon Merry
    Stephanie Allmon Merry: Nonprofit that means the most to the Fort Worth mayor hosts intimate fundraiser for those in need
    Stars shining bright
    Nonprofit that means the most to the Fort Worth mayor hosts fundraiser
    By Stephanie Allmon Merry
    John Egan: Fort Worth philanthropist Anne H. Bass’ art collection hauls in $363.1 million at NYC auction
    Big sale in the Big Apple
    Anne H. Bass’ art collection hauls in $363.1 million at NYC auction
    By John Egan

    SPONSORED BY

  • City Guide

    THE LATEST

    : Ser Steak + Spirits
    Restaurants
    Ser Steak + Spirits
    : Taco Diner
    Restaurants
    Taco Diner
    : Iron Cactus (Closed)
    Restaurants
    Iron Cactus (Closed)

    SPONSORED BY

  • Events

    THE LATEST

    : Amon Carter Museum of American Art presents "Stephanie Syjuco: Double Vision"
    7.8.22 | 10:00 am
    Amon Carter Museum of American Art presents "Stephanie Syjuco: Double Vision"
    : Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth presents "Women Painting Women"
    7.8.22 | 10:00 am
    Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth presents "Women Painting Women"
    : Kimbell Art Museum presents "The Language of Beauty in African Art"
    7.8.22 | 12:00 pm
    Kimbell Art Museum presents "The Language of Beauty in African Art"

    SPONSORED BY

  • Subscribe
  • City Life

    THE LATEST

    John Egan: These Dallas-Fort Worth businesses punch in among Texas' best employers, report says
    Workin’ it
    These DFW businesses rank among Texas' best employers, report says
    By John Egan
    Teresa Gubbins: Fort Worth's July 4th fireworks show abruptly ended by disastrous grass fires
    Fireworks News
    Fort Worth's July 4th fireworks abruptly cut by disastrous grass fires
    By Teresa Gubbins
    John Egan: Fort Worth skyrockets to No. 1 in ranking of cities with clear 4th of July skies
    Star-spangled atmosphere
    Fort Worth skyrockets to No. 1 among cities with clear July 4th skies
    By John Egan

    SPONSORED BY

  • Fashion + Beauty

    THE LATEST

    Stephanie Allmon Merry: Charming children's boutique graduates from pop-up to permanent shop at Clearfork
    Shopping news
    Kids' boutique graduates from pop-up to permanent shop at Clearfork
    By Stephanie Allmon Merry
    Stephanie Allmon Merry: Target shoppers can get a $10 manicure from a robot at 2 Fort Worth stores
    Nailing new technology
    Target shoppers can get a $10 manicure from a robot at 2 FW stores
    By Stephanie Allmon Merry
    Stephanie Allmon Merry: Southlake Town Square to welcome 8 hot new stores and eateries by year's end
    Shopping news
    Southlake Town Square to welcome 8 new stores & eateries by year's end
    By Stephanie Allmon Merry

    SPONSORED BY

  • Real Estate

    THE LATEST

    John Egan: 10,000-acre ranch once owned by Texas politician hits market for $29.75 million
    Celebrity listing
    10,000-acre ranch once owned by Texas politician seeks $29.75 million
    By John Egan
    John Egan: Fort Worth nails ranking as 12th hottest U.S. city for new apartment construction
    Building boom
    Fort Worth ranks as 12th hottest U.S. city for apartment construction
    By John Egan
    John Egan: Fort Worth ranks No. 20 on new list of best U.S. cities for renters
    Rent check
    Fort Worth ranks No. 20 on new list of best U.S. cities for renters
    By John Egan

    SPONSORED BY

  • Home + Design

    THE LATEST

    Stephanie Allmon Merry: 6 historic Fairmount homes roll out welcome mat for 40th annual Fort Worth tour
    Preserving Fort Worth history
    6 historic Fairmount homes roll out welcome mat for 40th annual tour
    By Stephanie Allmon Merry
    Hannah J. Phillips: H-E-B's new brand of green products will benefit Texas Parks & Wildlife
    H-E-Being Green
    New H-E-B brand of green products will benefit Texas Parks & Wildlife
    By Hannah J. Phillips
    Lindsey Wilson: Cozy additions and calming colors top Zillow's 2022 home trends in Fort Worth
    Do's for 2022
    Cozy additions + calming colors top Zillow's 2022 home trends in DFW
    By Lindsey Wilson

    SPONSORED BY

  • Travel

    THE LATEST

    Steven Devadanam: Texas museum unveils collection of rare and never-before-seen European treasures
    Worth a road trip
    Texas museum unveils rare and never-before-seen European treasures
    By Steven Devadanam
    Arden Ward: Texas cruises to No. 3 on list of best states for summer road trips
    Hit The Road
    Texas cruises to No. 3 on list of best states for summer road trips
    By Arden Ward
    Steven Devadanam: Galveston Island State Park reopens for beachside fun after major makeover
    Beachy getaway
    Galveston Island State Park reopens for beachside fun after makeover
    By Steven Devadanam

    SPONSORED BY

  • Charity Guide
  • Tastemaker Awards
Promoted series are produced by CultureMap sponsors and not by the editorial staff.
Home » Arts
Must-See DFW Exhibitions
8 major art exhibitions every Dallas-Fort Worth museumgoer must see
Art Exhibit News
Prestigious Fort Worth museum scores prized photo collection
LATEST NEWS
Billy Bob's Texas renovates showroom to improve concert sound, viewing
Portrait of the Artist

Fort Worth museum gives floor to world's greatest modern portrait artist

Fort Worth museum gives floor to greatest modern portrait artist

By CultureMap Create
Oct 16, 2015, 2:05 pm
Enlarge
Slideshow
Kehinde Wiley
Kehinde Wiley, Equestrian Portrait of King Philip II (Michael Jackson), 2009. Photo courtesy of Olbricht Collection
Kehinde Wiley
Kehinde Wiley, Houdon Paul-Louis, 2011. Photo courtesy of Brooklyn Museum, Frank L. Babbott Fund and A. Augustus Healy Fund
Kehinde Wiley
Kehinde Wiley, Morpheus, 2008. Photo courtesy of 21c Museum Hotel, Collection of Laure Lee Brown and Steve Wilson
Kehinde Wiley
Stained glass works by Kehinde Wiley in an installation from the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth. Photo courtesy of Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth
Kehinde Wiley
Kehinde Wiley
Kehinde Wiley
Kehinde Wiley

Larger than life or intimately detailed like religious saints, crafted of luminescent stained glass or sculpted in touchably textured bronze, the works of Kehinde Wiley transform their subjects into heroes and icons, modern royalty rather than the young, urban men and women they really are.

South Central-bred and Yale-educated, Wiley has become famous everywhere from blue chip museums to the set of Empire. His paintings, which borrow freely from the history of portraiture while remaining completely contemporary, have a populist appeal that belies his meticulous technique.

This is all evident in “A New Republic,” an overview of the artist’s prolific 14-year career running through January 10 at the Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth. Formerly staged at the Brooklyn Museum, this epic show is a rare opportunity for Texans to see almost 60 works in Wiley’s oeuvre, including his bronze busts and a chapel-like structure housing his new stained glass “paintings.”

Says exhibition curator Andrea Karnes, “Kehinde’s work is among the best within the genre of portraiture; it is formally exquisite. Conceptually, his work channels the past while it is also firmly planted in the present.

“His paintings, sculpture, and stained glass pieces point to omissions within the Western tradition of art, and Western history in general. His inclusion of people of color, and of women (who have also taken a backseat to men in the European masterworks Kehinde refers to in his contemporary imagery) makes his work provocative and lasting in the minds of viewers and the art world at large.”

When he was a child in South Central Los Angeles, Wiley’s mother was prescient enough to send him and his twin brother to art classes at the Huntington Library, a two-hour drive away. Hours spent walking through the magnificent halls and gardens, and a separate trip to Russia to paint in the forest outside St. Petersburg, shaped the young talent.

His early understanding of the trappings of social class and empire alluded to in great portraits — and the study of their technical mastery — led Wiley down the path of what eventually would become his own unique style of artistic expression.

In a chat at the Modern with Dr. Eugenie Tsai of the Brooklyn Museum, Wiley said, “My mother created this strange little garden for us to grow up in. We were economically impoverished, but we were enriched in ways you can’t imagine. She started this fire, and it got me looking at picture making. It got me looking at the seams where identity lies … the social injustices that undergird the reality of everyday life.”



After earning his BFA at the San Francisco Art Institute, Wiley garnered an MFA from Yale University. Moving to New York post-graduation for a residency at the Studio Museum in Harlem, he furthered his examination of “the type of black masculinity that was oftentimes misunderstood or couldn’t possibly be processed.” Casting men on the street for their peacocking fashion sense in the mid-2000s, he attempted to capture the ephemerality of fashion and pop culture in a timeless form.

Allowing his models to choose their favorite masterworks, he began a “strange back and forth” between subject and artist that remains to this day. These works share space on the Modern’s walls with pieces from his “World Stage” series, which was cast in countries such as Nigeria, Senegal, Sri Lanka, India, and Brazil, and from “Economy of Grace,” his first portraits of women outside of art school.

Patrons of the museum can further explore the influences behind Wiley’s unique viewpoint at the Modern ’Til Midnight: Beats and Baroque event October 24 and the museum’s “Culture, Class and Style” film series October 30 and 31.

Read These Next
Taco Trail in Bryan
Gobble up history and good eats in Bryan, home of the Texas A&M Aggies
Snow White forest
Arlington museum draws Disney fans with magical new animation exhibit
Amon Carter Museum of American Art presents Spring Break Fun Week
Amon Carter Museum brings back free summer series for families in July
Taco Trail in Bryan
Gobble up history and good eats in Bryan, home of the Texas A&M Aggies
Snow White forest
Arlington museum draws Disney fans with magical new animation exhibit
Amon Carter Museum of American Art presents Spring Break Fun Week
Amon Carter Museum brings back free summer series for families in July
Related Events
7.8.22
Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth presents "Women Painting Women"
7.8.22
Magnolia at the Modern: Official Competition
7.8.22
Magnolia at the Modern: Official Competition
Related City Guide Listings
  • Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth
  • Latest News
  • Most Popular
  • 4 Chili's around DFW add little robot named Rita to service team
  • These are the 11 best things to do in Fort Worth this weekend
  • These DFW businesses rank among Texas' best employers, report says
  • TCU tennis star Cam Norrie gets royal salute as Wimbledon semifinalist
  • Gobble up history and good eats in Bryan, home of the Texas A&M Aggies
    - promoted -
See All Latest News >
  • These DFW businesses rank among Texas' best employers, report says
  • Fort Worth's July 4th fireworks abruptly cut by disastrous grass fires
  • Portillo's deploys food truck to DFW to preview its Chicago hot dog
  • TCU tennis star Cam Norrie gets royal salute as Wimbledon semifinalist
  • These are the 11 best things to do in Fort Worth this weekend
Vote Now
Where to Eat Fort Worth
6/9
Where to eat in Fort Worth right now: 5 restaurant gems worth seeking
5/27
Where to eat in Fort Worth right now: 5 new places with tacos & pizza
3/22
Where to eat in Fort Worth right now: 5 hot new restaurants for March
Home | About Us | News Tips & Suggestions | Submit An Event | Submit A Charity | Advertise | Media Sponsorship | Jobs | Terms & Conditions | Privacy Policy
© 2022 CultureMap LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Be A CultureMap Insider
Get Our Emails
Sign Up

We will not share or sell your email address

Newsletters for exploring your city

Thank you for signing up Please verify your e-mail by following the link we just sent you.
Look for an e-mail from CultureMap <info@culturemap.com>