A Moving Art Experience

I was almost run over by art.

Kehinde Wiley at Phoenix Art Musem

The opening of the Kehinde Wiley exhibit at the Phoenix Art Museum happened during First Friday October, and I don’t think I’d ever seen the museum so packed. There was a long line to purchase tickets to the opening, which included poetry readings, performance art, a living wall floral installation, live portraiture in the galleries, and music by Djentrification, Arizona Opera, and Phoenix Afrobeat Orchestra. It all was designed to complement Wiley’s vibrant portraiture.

Kehinde Wiley at Phoenix Art Museum

The artist paints and sculpts people of color in poses inspired by traditional portraits of European aristocracy. He often chooses strangers on the street as potential subjects.

Kehinde Wiley at Phoenix Art Musem

Kehinde Wiley art

 

I was excited to learn his A New Republic exhibition was coming to Phoenix and made plans to go with Phillip and our friend Anne.

Kehinde Wiley inspired performance art at Phoenix Art Musem

Kehinde Wiley art

The opening had a festive atmosphere. At one point, I was making my way through a gallery, and I heard jazz coming from another room. I was struck by the beauty of the moment – the moving artwork, the enthusiastic crowd filling the space, the saxophone music floating over it all.

Kehinde Wiley art

Kehinde Wiley art

I wanted to capture a bit of the scene and tried to take a video, panning around in a circle. I got it the other side and…did it take? As I fiddled with my phone, there was a subtle shift in the energy of the room, a bit of a murmur, some movement around me. Photography was allowed, so I wasn’t sure what the problem was.

Kehinde Wiley at Phoenix Art Musem

Kehinde Wiley art

I finally turned around to realize a procession was steps away from overtaking me. Three women with hair braided together in the style of the sculpture Bound were walking ahead slowly without wavering. What would they have done if I hadn’t stumbled out of their path at the last second?

Kehinde Wiley art

I don’t know. I backed up to where the rest of the crowd stood, feeling awkward and penitent, like I had gotten caught talking in church. The procession passed, with the saxophonist bringing up the rear.

Kehinde Wiley stained glass.

Anne and Phillip had gone separate ways, and, after that, I tracked them down, so they could help make sure I didn’t have any more run-ins with performance art.
Kehinde Wiley at Phoenix Art Musem