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Painting does more than just point to things. The very act of pointing is a value statement.
Kehinde Wiley
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Interpretation

What this quote means

The act of painting conveys deeper meanings beyond mere representation.

Kehinde Wiley's quote emphasizes that painting is not just about depicting objects or scenes; it is an act of expression that carries significant meaning and intention. The act of pointing, or focusing on particular subjects in art, conveys a statement about value, perspective, and the artist's engagement with the world, inviting viewers to consider what is highlighted and why.

Themes

PaintingArtExpressionValueIntention

In practice

Example use cases

In a conversation about the significance of art, one might say, 'As Kehinde Wiley puts it, painting does more than just point to things, highlighting the deeper meanings behind artistic expression.'

More from Kehinde Wiley

There's something really cool about taking oily coloured paste and pushing it around with these hairy sticks and making something that looks like you. That's the magic of painting.
Kehinde WileyRead
This idea that my work is about hip-hop is a little reductive. What I'm interested in is the performance of masculinity, the performance of ethnicity, and how they intermingle across cultures.
Kehinde WileyRead
What is portraiture? It's choice. It's the ability to position your body in the world for the world to celebrate you on your own terms.
Kehinde WileyRead
The ability to be the first African-American painter to paint the first African-American president of the United States is absolutely overwhelming. It doesn't get any better than that.
Kehinde WileyRead
Painting is about the world that we live in. Black men live in the world. My choice is to include them.
Kehinde WileyRead
What I try to do is defy expectations in terms of boundaries, whether it is high or low art, pop culture, or fine-art culture. My work is about reconciling myriad cultural influences and bringing them into one picture.
Kehinde WileyRead

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