guitarman Loc: University Park, Florida

The official portraits of President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama were released today. Kehinde Wiley was the artist that painted President Obama's portrait. One of his other paintings is named "Judith & Holofernes" and an another painting named "Judith2". These two painting by Wiley show a black woman holding the severed head of a white woman. You can find the artist's gallery on-line. Wiley's painting suggest that he promotes racial violence. Why would Obama select such an artist for his official portrait?

teabag09

Should have painted a bucket under o's throne, have some mercy for the Janitors. Mike

Singularity

Perhaps Kehinde sees that in the end results, racism can become reciprocal and develop into a positive feedback cycle that sets us all back to zero=savage. And he knows that with portrayals of black people as victims, white perpetrators are mercilessmy content in their smug denigration. Note: NFL Kneelers v. Trump. No shock value leading to search for truth, rather just a rush to shoot the messengers.

Black on white violence? Makes white people nervous. And when white people finally care enough, stuff gets done.

He is a messenger, not a warrior, and he is showing you an image, his impression. It is raw and ugly, surely, but compelling in the discomfort it produces.

Art doesn't have to be something that makes you feel good. Real art makes you feel. And strong feelings get us thinking. Maybe talking. Sometimes, even understanding.

guitarman Loc: University Park, Florida

I guess your OK with Kathy Griffith's artwork? How about snoop dog? Mr. Wiley's artwork is not very good.

Singularity

I have preferences for different music or art or locations depending on my prevailing mood, not all of them reducible to rainbows, kittens, and pretty flowers.

Sometimes you need Nine inch Nails, and nothing will substitute.

Seems this painting succeeded in making you feel something fairly strongly, coupled with a desire to express your feeling and move you to action....

You posted your thoughts and feelings.

That's what good art does.

If you need an ID, photographs are more realistically exact, quicker and easier.

PaulPisces Loc: San Francisco

You are mistaken. "Judith and Holofernes" and "Judith2" refer to a scene from Judith, a deuterocanonical book of the Old Testament Bible excluded by Jews and assigned to The Apocrypha by Protestants. The paintings depict the story of the decapitation of Holofernes, and has been painted many, many times over the centuries.

"The account of the beheading of Holofernes by Judith is given in the deuterocanonical Book of Judith, and is the subject of many paintings and sculptures from the Renaissance and Baroque periods. In the story, Judith, a beautiful widow, is able to enter the tent of Holofernes because of his desire for her. Holofernes was an Assyrian general who was about to destroy Judith's home, the city of Bethulia. Overcome with drink, he passes out and is decapitated by Judith; his head is taken away in a basket (often depicted as carried by an elderly female servant)."

http://www.google.com/search?q=judith+and+holofernes&rlz=1C5CHFA_enUS695US696&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiXp4-o16HZAhVC7GMKHXIFCskQ_AUICigB&biw=1533&bih=860

Kehinde Wiley's paintings are a reinterpretation of the story, wherein black women are depicted as, like Judith, having gained power over their oppressors. Your interpretation of racial violence is your own, and a misunderstanding of Wiley's paintings' intent.

http://reinterpellations.web.unc.edu/about/kehinde-wiley-princess/kehinde-wiley-princess-essay/

guitarman Loc: University Park, Florida

Wiley's reinterpretation is where the racism sneaks in. The oppressors of black women in America are black men not white women.

PaulPisces Loc: San Francisco

And how, exactly, did you come to the understanding that white women have not participated in the oppression of black women in America?

Singularity

Or that it isn't a reciprocating cycle?
"The Help"

The Help

guitarman Loc: University Park, Florida

I am sure it's not white women who are pulling the triggers in Chicago all day and all night.

Hemiman Loc: Communist California

Hahahahahahaha LMAO

Hemiman Loc: Communist California

Where else would Mr.andMr.Obama go to have their stain painted,what do Musliams do to their victims ? Exactly,they decapitate .So where would two Musliams go except to another Musliam that is fond of decapitation.I will give the painter credit he captures the evil living inside the both of them,their black souls seem to pour out .
Mr Obama can hang his portrait in his cell in the Federal penitentiary ,he can spend the days just admiring himself and his cell mates will find it interesting as well, it will be a conversation starter as he adjust to prison life.

Hemiman Loc: Communist California

Yeah but he earned his 10 bucks for doing these two.

Hemiman Loc: Communist California

First words Obama said were ,”hey bro got an extra head around some where ?it would really make my picture pop”.

Singularity

Denigrating. Smug. Nailed it!

Thanks for the collateral evidence.