Kehinde Wiley's 'A Maze of Power' at Musée du Quai Branly
Kehinde Wiley, the first African American to paint an official US presidential portrait (Barack Obama, 2018), presents 'A Maze of Power' at Musée du Quai Branly in Paris until January 14, 2024. The exhibition features 11 new portraits of African heads of state, including Félix Tshisekedi (DRC), Macky Sall (Senegal), Hery Rajaonarimampianina (Madagascar), and Nana Akufo-Addo (Ghana). Wiley began traveling across Africa in 2012 to research contemporary African leadership, aiming to fill a gap in visual traditions of African presidency. He deliberately avoided political discussions with the sitters, instead showing them historical aristocratic and military portraits from the 17th–19th centuries. The project was realized in collaboration with Galerie Templon in Paris. Wiley also founded the multidisciplinary residency Black Rock Senegal in 2019, inviting artists worldwide to work in Dakar.
Key facts
- Kehinde Wiley painted Barack Obama's official presidential portrait in 2018.
- Exhibition 'A Maze of Power' runs until January 14, 2024 at Musée du Quai Branly, Paris.
- The show includes 11 new portraits of African presidents.
- Portraits depict Félix Tshisekedi, Macky Sall, Hery Rajaonarimampianina, and Nana Akufo-Addo.
- Wiley began his research on African leadership in 2012.
- He avoided political discussions, focusing on historical portrait traditions.
- The project was supported by Galerie Templon, Paris.
- Wiley founded Black Rock Senegal residency in 2019.
Entities
Artists
- Kehinde Wiley
Institutions
- Musée du Quai Branly
- Galerie Templon
- Black Rock Senegal
Locations
- Paris
- France
- Los Angeles
- United States
- Dakar
- Senegal
- Democratic Republic of the Congo
- Kinshasa
- Madagascar
- Ghana