Going back and forth to Toledo every day for school opened much time to listen to the radio. I listen to a Toledo station to get weather and traffic alerts, but I also heard about local events too. For months, it seemed like, the Toledo Museum of Art ran an airtime ad promoting Kehinde Wiley’s art exhibit. What they were saying about it sparked my interest. So, when mine and Kellyann’s museum day came about, I was eager to see what all of the hype was for this temporary exhibit. The way it worked out, we saw this display last. I guess you could say we saved the best for last, in my opinion. I knew the work of Kehinde Wiley was going to be on the edgier side of art, but it was fresh, vibrant, and colorful. I am not an art critic, but I think this exhibit was a spectacular example of making a relatable statement to a young audience. The diversity and pop culture that came to life in the paintings was unlike anything I had ever seen. After seeing classical paintings from world-famous artists, I thought I had seen it all. I am in no way knocking down the iconic paintings, but I believe we get stuck in a rut when it comes to defining what is expected at an art gallery. I was shocked when I saw the face of Michael Jackson included in a painting of Kehinde Wiley’s. Many pieces stood out to me, and I commend the innovativeness and bounding creativity to make historical paintings with a modernized flare. It got me to thinking about the reasons why we are so reserved to accept or merely recognize a current stance. Times change and people change. History is the only thing that will remain, so we must adapt our ways to reach new audiences. We sometimes have to meet a new way of thinking somewhere in the middle. Kehinde Wiley did just that by making a statement through art against the grain. Stay Curious, Kayla ©Inquisitive Perspectives 2017
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