Kehinde Wiley’s
Conspicuous Fraud Series #1 (Eminence) depicts a middle aged African American male contrasted by a somewhat muggy teal background. The man is dressed in a full suit and his hair is long; sprouting from his head as if he were a tree and his curls were its offspring. When studying the painting it is hard to tell if his long locks are meant to be a sign of pride or shame for the man. On one hand they look like clouds which could symbolize his feelings of freedom and peace; while another viewpoint might characterize the hair’s movement as something reminiscent of smoke or shadows which might allude to a more negative association. Regardless, this piece stands out for Wiley’s willingness to use something as simplistic as hair to challenge the audience’s personal bias and initial reactions to the content. – Terrie Briggs
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