Introduction
The modern take on many concepts of art from the past may revitalize outdated ideas with new colors. Artworks change alongside society, and Kehinde Wiley focuses on a single aspect of this shift: the globalization and homogenization of cultures. For this essay, the work Dogon Couple by Kehinde Wiley was selected for its unique take on mixing art conventions from various cultures. In this paper, Dogon Couple will be analyzed for its visual and design elements.
Visual Elements
Like many portraits of Western artists, Wiley’s Dogon Couple uses tones to create volume, yet the bright shades do not lead strictly to a single point on an image. While the lines of the backdrop are flowing and swirling in the predefined patterns, the black men and their clothes possess realistically chaotic lines that enhance their visual representation. Moreover, such an approach to portraying aligns well with the Western style. The bright colors of the background pattern and the men’s clothes create a contrast of lighting between their skin and the textures. Moreover, this effect gives an illusion of volume and space.
Wiley has made an effort to depict men’s physiques with great precision, defining a precise texture of an African American. Their shape is as realistic as possible, with no distortions for used emphasis. Such a technique makes this artwork a clear allusion to classical Western compositions yet also puts a contemporary spin on it. There are unusually bright colors associated with hip-hop culture that have a sharp texture, giving the centerpiece an additional flair in comparison with traditional portraits (Wiley). The artist’s ability to combine clashing values from various styles into a single composition makes Dogon Couple genuinely unique.
Design Principles
This artwork provides its viewers with a static pose of the portrayed people, yet a web of swirling elements that create a stunning contrast in terms of moving parts. The emphasis of this painting is clear, as the two black men in the center are highly realistic in comparison with the background. These people provide a wide variety of forms, colors, and movements that are unified under a single idea of mixed cultures. With a clear focus on correct proportions, each person can be easily mistaken for a photographic image.
There is a particular rhythm that is both flowing and alternating hidden behind the black men. The background pattern deserves an additional examination due to its complexity. Repeated elements and forms are present, yet they do not blend into a single design. Instead, the details are mixed into subgroups that contain the same pattern within each corner of the painting. The selection of ornaments adds a layer of complexity to the composition, as its origins lie in traditional African decorations that are imported from Southeast Asia (Wiley). The lines of the backdrop help viewers remain focused on the center of the painting through repetitive connections that do not distract from the primary composition.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Wiley has created a unique mix of Western and African artistic styles that convey a more profound message regarding cultural appropriation. Despite such a clashing concept, each visual detail appears to be in a place where it complements other elements with surprising precision. The author has achieved such harmony through contrasting colors that create an illusion of volume and lighting, as well as patterns that do not distract from the central point. The design principles express the artist’s idea of the globalized world through realism and mixed art techniques, yet the balance remains on the two black individuals put in the middle of the swirling African patterns.
Work Cited
Wiley, Kehinde. Dogon Couple. Painting. 2008. Harn Museum, Gainesville, Florida. Harn Museum of Art.