The new Barack Obama’s official portrait will be painted by a gay artist, Kehinde Wiley who based in New York.
The painter Kehinde Wiley has built his career on featuring young black men and women in his work using a classical European style, his works attracted Barack Obama who expressed the desire to hire this artist for the new official portrait. It is worth to remember that Michelle Obama’s official portrait will be painted by Amy Sherald, the first ex-couple has different preferences when it’s about the painting.
Michael Jackson is just one of the huge stars who has previously commissioned Wiley to do a portrait of themselves, Notorious B.I.G., LL Cool J, Big Daddy Kane, and Ice T were painted by the gifted painter. The fame is the great thing, especially when it gives the chance to paint the first black President of the United States.
After each presidency the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery in Washington DC teams up with the White House to commission an official portrait of the former President.
It means Wiley’s piece will immediately go into the history books and hang in the gallery when it’s officially unveiled in early 2018. Although Wiley identifies as gay, he has spoken openly about the fluidity of his sexuality in the past.
The portraits will cost $500,000, which includes costs for the unveiling event and a reserve for future care.
