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Curator Talk: Portrait of Melissa Thompson by Kehinde Wiley
Enjoy a short talk from Senior Curator, Zofia Trafas White, on this recent acquisition purchased with support from a legacy donation.
Nigerian-American artist, Kehinde Wiley, is best known for his portraits of people of colour in settings and poses that reference Old Master paintings. Described as ‘majestic and powerful’, Wiley’s portraits replace European figures of power and influence, asking us to consider the power dynamics behind who is represented in these portraits and why.
Purchased with support from a legacy gift from Dr Philip da Costa and the Art Fund, Wiley’s ‘Portrait of Melissa Thompson’ from The Yellow Wallpaper series marks the first time the artist has worked solely with women and explores themes of feminism, identity, and representation.
If you would like to learn more about creating your own lasting legacy, our in-house legacy experts will be available for an informal chat after the event.
This event is free but ticketed. Booking essential. Please meet in Room 125 of the British Galleries (in front of the portrait).
October 2 - 6 is Legacy Week at the V&A! Discover how gifts in Wills make a difference at the Museum.
For more information, please contact our Legacy Team at legacy@vam.ac.uk or by phone on +44 20 7942 2716.
Header image: Kehinde Wiley, Portrait of Melissa Thompson, 2020. © Kehinde Wiley. Courtesy of the Victoria and Albert Museum and Stephen Friedman Gallery, London.