Kehinde Wiley, the artist behind Barack Obama’s official portrait at the National Portrait Gallery, has offered to buy back a painting from the U.S. embassy in the Dominican Republic. The move comes after State Department officials mocked the work as “aesthetically terrifying.”
The painting, titled “Young Artists After Siamesas 1960,” was commissioned by the State Department in 2013. It was removed from the embassy and, last month, the department suggested selling the painting. Wiley has stepped forward to reclaim it.
Wiley’s Offer
Wiley has made a public offer to repurchase the painting. His gesture follows a summer of mockery from the Trump administration, which singled out works that do not align with its vision.
The work was mocked by State Department officials who described it as “aesthetically terrifying.” That description did not stick. The current administration later called the painting “very woke” and claimed it depicted a “lesbian picnic,” according to The New York Times.
The Mockery
The mocking began this past summer. Officials singled out the painting for its style and subject matter, using the term “aesthetically terrifying” to describe it.
The Sale Threat
Last month, the State Department suggested selling the painting. The threat of a sale pushed Wiley to act.
His offer to buy back the work puts him in a position similar to artists who have reclaimed commissions before.
The Obama Portrait
Wiley’s portrait of Barack Obama hangs in the National Portrait Gallery. That work is widely recognized, even by casual art lovers.
Wiley’s offer to reclaim the Dominican work extends that recognition to a lesser-known commission.
What Wiley Said
Wiley has made his intention clear: he wants the painting back.
The work remains in question. Wiley’s offer stands as a response to the administration’s treatment of it.
A Wry Turn
The situation is amusing. An artist whose presidential portrait hangs in a national museum now offers to reclaim a work mocked by the same administration.
“Young Artists After Siamesas 1960”
| Event | Date |
|---|---|
| Painting commissioned | 2013 |
| Mocked by officials | Past summer |
| Sale suggested | Last month |
| Wiley offers to buy back | Present |
The administration’s mockery of the painting was met with a simple response: the artist wants his work back.
See the video the story is built around at The A.V. Club.
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