I recently had a truly transformative experience visiting Kehinde Wiley’s exhibit, “An Archaeology of Silence,” at the de Young Museum in San Francisco. In an attempt to capture the profound impact of the artwork, this episode is a heartfelt letter to the artist, expressing my gratitude and awe. Wiley’s colossal paintings of young black individuals, both living and deceased, set against nature and contemporary clothing, left an indelible mark on my soul. The sculptures, larger than life and brimming with life even in their portrayal of death, moved me from one existential moment to another. Wiley’s work has moved me in a way that no other art has in my 77 years, and this experience has rekindled a sense of newness in my life, and for that, I am endlessly thankful.
Admittedly, this letter took days to write and still feels a paltry expression of all I experienced. Please take a moment to visit Kehinde Wiley’s website at https://kehindewiley.com/.
Now That You Ask is a podcast that looks at topics that range from death to desire, and from wondrous to downright whacky. Join host, Akasha Halsey as she takes listeners on a journey through her writing and experience with life’s most persistent questions.
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