Kehinde Wiley Painting Removed from US Embassy in Dominican Republic Over 'Woke' Concerns
The U.S. State Department has taken down Kehinde Wiley's artwork, 'Young Artists After Siamesas 1960,' from the American Embassy in the Dominican Republic, labeling it as 'aesthetically terrifying' and 'very woke.' Created in 2013, the piece showcases four Dominican models and is the result of two years of research into Dominican artists. Prior to its removal last week, it was obscured by a tarp displaying the American flag. Erin Scavino criticized the painting in a podcast, associating Wiley with Barack Obama. U.S. Ambassador Leah Campos released a video regarding the removal, calling it a representation of 'globalist and woke ideologies.' The State Department pointed to Wiley's contentious remarks, asserting the artwork did not align with the America First agenda.
Key facts
- The US State Department removed Kehinde Wiley's painting 'Young Artists After Siamesas 1960' from the American Embassy in the Dominican Republic.
- Officials described the painting as 'very woke' and 'aesthetically terrifying'.
- The painting was commissioned in 2013 with public funds and depicts four Dominican models.
- Embassy staff covered the painting with a tarp printed with an image of the American flag before removal.
- Erin Scavino, director of Art in Embassies, criticized the work and cited Wiley's connection to Barack Obama.
- US ambassador Leah Campos celebrated the removal on social media with the song 'We're Not Gonna Take It'.
- The State Department cited Wiley's 2023 comments about 'kill whitey thing' and denied sexual assault allegations.
- Virginia Shore, former acquisitions director, called the characterization difficult to understand and noted no precedent for selling embassy artworks.
- Wiley received the State Department's Medal of Arts in 2015.
- The State Department is examining whether the work can be legally sold; a smaller Wiley painting sold for nearly $845,000 at Phillips in 2024.
- Scavino's tenure has been marked by other controversies, including an exhibition titled 'Make Art Great Again'.
Entities
Artists
- Kehinde Wiley
- Celeste Wossy Gil
- Gilberto Hernández Ortega
- Cheryl Pope
- Raúl Recio
- Todd Forsgren
Institutions
- US State Department
- Art in Embassies
- Metropolitan Museum of Art
- National Portrait Gallery
- Los Angeles County Museum of Art
- Brooklyn Museum
- Walker Art Centre
- Virginia Museum of Fine Arts
- V&A East
- Phillips
- Sean Kelly Gallery
- Facultad de Artes
- Altos de Chavon School of Design
Locations
- Dominican Republic
- Santo Domingo
- La Romana
- Washington, D.C.
- United States
- Bucharest
- Venice
Sources
- Artlyst —