Obama’s portrait may have been made in China

[Common]

Was the presidential portrait of Barack Obama made in China?

Sources say artist Kehinde Wiley — who painted the former president before a background of greenery and flowers — has studios in China and produces most of his work there.
“It’s his base of operation,” said art critic Charlie Finch, who has known Wiley and appreciated his talent since they were students at Yale. “He has dozens of assistants working for him.”
While Obama sat for Wiley for several hours, the portrait may have been sent to China to be completed.
“Normally, Wiley sketches out the important parts, and assistants fill out the rest,” Finch told me.
Wiley often paints his subjects in front of flamboyantly colorful backgrounds. The Obama portrait is more conservative.
Wiley did not return requests for comment.

https://pagesix.com/2018/02/14/barac...made-in-china/

[Grokmaster]

Figures. Obama has used Maoist imagery since his first presidential run...

[Peter1469]

Wherever it was made- it is odd.

[Crepitus]

Was the presidential portrait of Barack Obama made in China?

Sources say artist Kehinde Wiley — who painted the former president before a background of greenery and flowers — has studios in China and produces most of his work there.
“It’s his base of operation,” said art critic Charlie Finch, who has known Wiley and appreciated his talent since they were students at Yale. “He has dozens of assistants working for him.”
While Obama sat for Wiley for several hours, the portrait may have been sent to China to be completed.
“Normally, Wiley sketches out the important parts, and assistants fill out the rest,” Finch told me.
Wiley often paints his subjects in front of flamboyantly colorful backgrounds. The Obama portrait is more conservative.
Wiley did not return requests for comment.

https://pagesix.com/2018/02/14/barac...made-in-china/

Why does it matter?

[jimmyz]

I think the MLK statue on The Mall was also a Chinese product. Maybe bronze is cheaper over there?

We have to have something to remember Obama and Michelle by. His legacy will be mostly gutted. So who cares what is hung on the walls in DC.

[zelmo1234]

If the Obama's like these paintings and they are not upset???

Who cares.

I say good for them, it matters not where it was painted or if we like them or not. They should be able to commission those paintings

[Kacper]

Wherever it was made- it is odd.

Looks like something a cult leader from the 70's would have painted of himself. The whole thing is rather bizarre.

[Peter1469]

I think the MLK statue on The Mall was also a Chinese product. Maybe bronze is cheaper over there?

We have to have something to remember Obama and Michelle by. His legacy will be mostly gutted. So who cares what is hung on the walls in DC.

I have seen the MLK monument- it looks like crap. They need to tear it down and try again.

[Common]

I dont care how much the left fawns over those 2 portraits, I think they are less than professionally done

[Ravens Fan]

I just don't get the whole chair in the woods feel of it (looks like him and the chair were an afterthought). If it were me, I would have wanted it to have been of me in the oval office, or maybe giving a speech in front of thousands, something a little more presidential. I am not saying he should have done what appears to be the standard of standing in front of a fireplace or bookshelf, but I think the painting looks ridiculous. That said, he looks good in it (except for the odd extra finger thingie), and if he is happy with it, good on him.