MODERN FIGURES
1 HE’S A MODERN-DAY WILLIAM MORRIS
Kehinde Wiley made history in 2018 when he became the first African American artist to paint an official portrait of a US President. He placed Barack Obama against a decorative backdrop of leaves and flowers. Other works have included patterns literally copied from William Morris, but now he draws upon what he calls the British textile designer’s “ornate sensibility”. Appropriately enough, Kehinde’s first UK show will be at the William Morris Gallery.
2 HE IS CLASSICALLY INSPIRED
Los Angeles-born Kehinde has been inspired by Classical European
