Thioqo Gliveira Do Rosario Rozendo Study V 2012

Here we have Kehinde Wiley’s Study V, of Thioqo Gliveira Do Rosario Rozendo, made with oil paint on canvas. He approaches portraiture with a maximalist twist. It's like he's saying, "Let's not just capture a likeness, but a whole vibe, a story, a feeling!" The texture is so smooth it almost looks like a photograph, which is quite the feat for oil paint. The way he blends the skin tones is incredible, it’s like he's building up layers of light and shadow. Then, BAM! A riot of flowers in the background. Check out the the red flower right there on his chest. It's like a pop of defiance, a refusal to be subdued by the pretty, flowery backdrop. Wiley’s work reminds me of David Hockney, both have a knack for capturing a certain kind of Californian coolness. But Wiley adds this layer of historical awareness, this dialogue with the grand tradition of portraiture. Art isn't about answers, it's about opening up conversations.