Tarrel 2008

Kehinde Wiley made this painting called 'Tarrel' using a high gloss oil paint, and right away you notice the juxtaposition. The figure's skin is built up through layers of translucent and opaque browns, giving depth and presence, but at the same time it's contrasted with flat graphic stencilling in the background. The figure is really brought to life through the light. Look at how the light reflects off the skin on his face and neck; Wiley captures the subtle gradations of light and shadow so the skin appears to glow. The paint seems to glide over the canvas, creating a smoothness that’s almost tactile. And then those tendrils of color that frame the figure like ivy – they flatten out the space, bringing the background forward and making the figure feel like he’s emerging from a decorative screen. For me, the painting has an interesting conversation with someone like David Hockney. Both artists play with the flattening of space and with figure/ground relationships, but to very different ends. Wiley always leaves you with more questions than answers.