Back to Kehinde Wiley: A New Republic at Seattle Art Museum

About

Statement

The works of Kehinde Wiley draw attention to questions of race, identity, and create a dialogue between conventions of aristocratic portraiture, the portrait as a statement of power, and the individual’s sense of empowerment.

Press Release

Events

A New Republic Community Project

Wed, Feb 3, 2016 at 10:00am – Tue, Mar 15, 2016 at 3:00pm UTC
How do you see yourself? How do others see you? Inspired by themes of power, representation and personal expression in the Seattle Art Museum's upcoming exhibition, Kehinde Wiley: A New Republic, this project invites volunteers to have their portraits taken by artists Carina A. del Rosario and Zorn B. Taylor. "I’M TRYING TO IMAGINE A NEW REPUBLIC WHERE THE PROMISE OF AMERICA IS LIVED OUT, IF NOT IN REAL LIFE, THEN IN THIS SORT OF IMAGINED SPACE THAT PAINTING REPRESENTS, WHICH MIGHT, IN SOME SMALL WAY, AFFECT THE TRAJECTORY OF CULTURE." –KEHINDE WILEY The New Republic Community Project is a photography project organized by the Seattle Art Museum. Working with partner organizations—SAM has coordinated photo stations at different locations around the city where volunteer participants can choose to have their portrait taken by two Seattle based artists, Zorn B. Taylor and Carina A. del Rosario. Each participant will also answer three questions: how do others see you, how do you see yourself and how do you want to be seen?

Opening Reception

Thu, Feb 11, 2016 from 6:30 – 10:00pm UTC
We’re open late to celebrate the brand new exhibition, "Kehinde Wiley: A New Republic," with a FREE public celebration featuring music, performances, art-making, and more. Bring your family and friends—the whole community is invited! Free tickets will be available starting at 5 pm. 7:00–7:45 pm: Hear artist Kehinde Wiley in conversation with Catharina Manchanda, SAM's Jon and Mary Shirley Curator of Modern & Contemporary Art. Wiley and Manchanda will be discussing the new special exhibition and Wiley’s practice. It's an event that's not to be missed! Entrance to the conversation is FREE. Tickets to the conversation will be available in South Hall, at the entrance of Plestcheeff Auditorium at 6 pm. Seating is limited and on a first-come, first-served basis. Overflow seating will be available in Nordstrom Lecture Hall. THE NIGHT'S EVENTS INCLUDE: Art of Jazz with Industrial Revelation Music by DJ Supreme La Rock Performance by Big World Breaks Percussion Ensemble, an intergenerational collective that honors the legacy and evolution of the drum's role in music and worldwide culture. In-gallery performances by artist Jade Solomon Curtis. A New Republic: Drop-in Community Photo Sessions with photographers Carina A. del Rosario and Zorn B. Taylor and more… On our website: http://bit.ly/1OyLdqd More about the exhibition: visitsam.org/wiley

Guided Tour

Wed, Feb 17, 2016 at 1:15pm – Sun, May 8, 2016 at 3:15pm UTC
One hour tours are offered daily—during museum hours— at 1:15 pm and 2:15 pm. Please meet at the entrance to the special exhibition galleries on the fourth floor. Juxtaposing grand European portraiture traditions with depictions of young men and women of color, Kehinde Wiley explores the relationship between Western imagery of power and the individual’s sense of empowerment in contemporary society. Dive into these vibrant, multi-layered portraits in this docent-led tour of Kehinde Wiley: A New Republic. Free with museum admission.

Complex Exchange: Tradition | Innovation

Wed, Feb 24, 2016 from 7:00 – 9:00pm UTC
NOTE: THIS PROGRAM TAKES PLACE AT THE NORTHWEST AFRICAN AMERICAN MUSEUM (NAAM). Presented in partnership with the Northwest African American Museum, Complex Exchange pairs Seattle community members from varying disciplines in a series of conversations related to issues of race, power, and politics of representation. Artists, technologists, activists, writers, and community builders tackle themes inspired by the exhibition, Kehinde Wiley: A New Republic, on view at the Seattle Art Museum, and The Harmon & Harriet Kelley Collection of African American Art: Works on Paper at the Northwest African American Museum (NAAM). Complex Exchange features presenters and practices that reference black experience and the lives of people of color from a local context. The session on February 24 features violinist Quinton Morris, technologist Zithri Saleem, and writer and painterBarbara Earl Thomas. Kehinde Wiley is one of the leading American artists to emerge in the last decade. He has been ingeniously reworking the grand portraiture traditions of Western culture, in paintings of people of color in contemporary attire. Wiley’s portraits are highly stylized and staged, and draw attention to the dialectic between a history of aristocratic representation and the portrait as a statement of power and the individual’s sense of empowerment. Wiley's work can be seen at SAM in the special exhibition, Kehinde Wiley: A New Republic. The Kelly Collection features works from Jacob Lawrence, Romare Bearden, Robert Colescott, and other icons whose works were the first to represent black life in America and paved the way for innovation. Complex Exchange furthers this dialogue through a mix of perspectives and practice. Conversations will explore the following themes: Tradition | Innovation February 24, 7 – 9 pm at NAAM* Power | Privilege March 23, 7–9 pm at SAM Collaboration | Connectivity April 13, 7–9 pm at NAAM* Media | Representation May 4, 7–9 pm at SAM *Note the programs on February 24 and April 13 will take place at NAAM. Free with RSVP. Sponsored by Starbucks

Kehinde Wiley Family Day Celebration

Sat, Feb 27, 2016 from 10:00am – 3:00pm UTC
Spend the day exploring our new exhibition "Kehinde Wiley: A New Republic "with a full day of live performances, music, art making and tours for all ages inspired by this groundbreaking exhibition. Grab the family and friends and join in the fun—the whole community is invited! The Festival is located in SAM's public spaces and is free to all. Admission to the exhibition is free for kids 12 and under with a paying adult. RSVP requested: http://bit.ly/1OyL2eo. #KehindeWiley Sponsored by RealNetworks Foundation. Supported by Washington State Arts Commission.

Complex Exchange: Power | Privilege

Wed, Mar 23, 2016 from 7:00 – 9:00pm UTC
Presented in partnership with the Northwest African American Museum, Complex Exchange pairs Seattle community members from varying disciplines in a series of conversations related to issues of race, power, and politics of representation. Artists, technologists, activists, writers, and community builders tackle themes inspired by the exhibition, Kehinde Wiley: A New Republic , on view at the Seattle Art Museum, and The Harmon & Harriet Kelley Collection of African American Art: Works on Paper at the Northwest African American Museum (NAAM). This session on March 23rd features City of Seattle organizer Rahwa Habtee, journalist and filmmaker Charles Mudede, and dancer Dani Tirrell. Complex Exchange features presenters and practices that reference black experience and the lives of people of color from a local context. Kehinde Wiley is one of the leading American artists to emerge in the last decade and he has been ingeniously reworking the grand portraiture traditions of Western culture, in paintings of people of color in contemporary attire. Wiley’s portraits are highly stylized and staged, and draw attention to the dialectic between a history of aristocratic representation and the portrait as a statement of power and the individual’s sense of empowerment. The Kelly Collection features works from Jacob Lawrence, Romare Bearden, Robert Colescott, and other icons whose works were the first to represent black life in the America and paved the way for innovation. Complex Exchange furthers this dialogue through a mix of perspectives and practice. Conversations will explore the following themes: Tradition | Innovation February 24, 7 – 9 pm at NAAM* Power | Privilege March 23, 7–9 pm at SAM Collaboration | Connectivity April 13, 7–9 pm at NAAM* Media | Representation May 4, 7–9 pm at SAM *Note the programs on February 24 and April 13 will take place at NAAM. Free with RSVP. Sponsored by Starbucks

Complex Exchange: Collaboration | Connectivity

Wed, Apr 13, 2016 from 7:00 – 9:00pm UTC
Presented in partnership with the Northwest African American Museum, Complex Exchange pairs Seattle community members from varying disciplines in a series of conversations related to issues of race, power, and politics of representation. Artists, technologists, activists, writers, and community builders tackle themes inspired by the exhibition, Kehinde Wiley: A New Republic , on view at the Seattle Art Museum, and The Harmon & Harriet Kelley Collection of African American Art: Works on Paper at the Northwest African American Museum (NAAM). Complex Exchange features presenters and practices that reference black experience and the lives of people of color from a local context. This session features musician Cristina Orbe and organizer Karen Toering. Kehinde Wiley is one of the leading American artists to emerge in the last decade and he has been ingeniously reworking the grand portraiture traditions of Western culture, in paintings of people of color in contemporary attire. Wiley’s portraits are highly stylized and staged, and draw attention to the dialectic between a history of aristocratic representation and the portrait as a statement of power and the individual’s sense of empowerment. The Kelley Collection features works from Jacob Lawrence, Romare Bearden, Robert Colescott, and other icons whose works were the first to represent black life in the America and paved the way for innovation. Complex Exchange furthers this dialogue through a mix of perspectives and practice. Conversations will explore the following themes: Tradition | Innovation February 24, 7 – 9pm NAAM* Power | Privilege March 23, 7 – 9pm SAM Collaboration | Connectivity April 13, 7 – 9pm NAAM* Media | Representation May 4, 7 – 9pm SAM *Note the programs on February 24 and April 13 will take place at NAAM. Sponsored by Starbucks

Complex Exchange: Media | Representation

Wed, May 4, 2016 from 7:00 – 9:00pm UTC
Presented in partnership with the Northwest African American Museum, Complex Exchange pairs Seattle community members from varying disciplines in a series of conversations related to issues of race, power, and politics of representation. Artists, technologists, activists, writers, and community builders tackle themes inspired by the exhibition, Kehinde Wiley: A New Republic, on view at the Seattle Art Museum, and The Harmon & Harriet Kelley Collection of African American Art: Works on Paper at the Northwest African American Museum (NAAM). Complex Exchange features presenters and practices that reference black experience and the lives of people of color from a local context. This session features organizer Elmer Dixon and artist Davida Ingram. Kehinde Wiley is one of the leading American artists to emerge in the last decade and he has been ingeniously reworking the grand portraiture traditions of Western culture, in paintings of people of color in contemporary attire. Wiley’s portraits are highly stylized and staged, and draw attention to the dialectic between a history of aristocratic representation and the portrait as a statement of power and the individual’s sense of empowerment. The Kelly Collection features works from Jacob Lawrence, Romare Bearden, Robert Colescott, and other icons whose works were the first to represent black life in the America and paved the way for innovation. Complex Exchange furthers this dialogue through a mix of perspectives and practice. Conversations will explore the following themes: Tradition | Innovation February 24, 7 – 9 pm at NAAM* Power | Privilege March 23, 7–9 pm at SAM Collaboration | Connectivity April 13, 7–9 pm at NAAM* Media | Representation May 4, 7–9 pm at SAM *Note the programs on February 24 and April 13 will take place at NAAM. Free with RSVP. Sponsored by Starbucks

Institution

Location

Seattle Art Museum
1300 First Avenue
Seattle, WA, US