Kehinde Wiley: An Economy of Grace

Art meets fashion in filmmaker Jeff Dupre's enjoyable PBS-aired documentary about New York artist Kehinde Wiley, best known for his portraiture work based on classic paintings but featuring African-American models. Often referred to as the “African-American Andy Warhol,” Wiley does indeed redefine iconography in popular art, creating lush, floral backgrounds on enormous canvases, against which male subjects (mostly) recruited from the streets strike a pose reminiscent of the work of past masters. An Economy of Grace finds Wiley embarking on a similar project, but with black women as his subject. We witness several comic moments as Wiley tries to interest female passersby outside his studio to pose for him; those who do are ultimately rewarded by having Givenchy designer Riccardo Tisci create couture gowns for them. Viewers will also see Wiley at work in China, which he regards as a second home, and on a private visit to the Louvre, where he looks for inspiration. A buoyant and fun art world documentary, this is recommended. Aud: C, P. (T. Keogh)