The spotlight now shines upon African-American painters Kehinde Wiley, the artist assigned to portray Mr. Obama’s figure, and Amy Sherald, for Mrs. Obama’s. Wiley, an established New York-based artist, stands on another level of notoriety compared to his companion Sherald, an up-and-coming Baltimore-based artist. Despite their differences, the former President and First Lady discovered the two after viewing the artists’ portfolios submitted by the Portrait Gallery, later selecting the artists just before Mr. Obama left office.
Wiley, 40, secured his own following prior to the Obama’s selection process began. Wiley is famously trademarked by “updating” classical art pieces through his infusion of savvy urban style. His paintings juxtapose elements of modern-day hip-hop, such as hoodies, baseball caps and bold patterns, to the aristocratic poses and backdrops his subjects model with.
