The Assignment: Write a formal research paper about selected works by Kehinde Wiley (born 1977). He is the subject of the exhibition, Kehinde Wiley: Equestrian Portrait of Prince Tommaso of Savoy-Carignan, currently on view at the Santa Barbara Museum of Art. You must discuss this painting from the exhibition, but also other works that interest you from your scholarly research about the artist. Use relevant research materials available at Davidson Library, and any articles that you might find useful in the course reader to clarify your assertions.
According to The Santa Barbara Museum of Art,
Kehinde Wiley has become internationally recognized for his examinations of the aestheticizing of power and masculinity through the time-worn genre of portraiture. This major painting is an extension of the artist’s Rumors of War series, which takes the form of historic equestrian portraiture. In Wiley’s hands, this established genre expands in scale to over nine feet in each dimension, and explodes in color with a revelry of bold and bright hues. Opposed to tradition is also the fact that the sitters for these works are not the typical European nobleman in a powerful position but people the artist meets on the street, mostly from New York. Special workshops and education programs are being planned for the duration of this project. This work comes to SBMA from a generous loan, as well as support from Jeanne and Dennis Masel.
Kehinde Wiley: Equestrian Portrait of Prince Tommaso of Savoy-Carignan is part of SBMA’s Park Projects: a new series of installations utilizing the grand stairwell at SBMA’s Park Entrance. Serving as the Museum’s main point of access during the ongoing renovation, this space, since August 2018, is the site of temporary installations of works by cutting edge contemporary artists. On view to the public for extended periods, these projects provide increased visual impact as well as opportunities for meaningful engagement.
The Exhibition: Kehinde Wiley: Equestrian Portrait of Prince Tommaso of Savoy- Carignan at the Santa Barbara Museum of Art (March 3, 2019- October 13, 2019). https://www.sbma.net/exhibitions/kehinde
Paper Format:
1. 7-8 pages of text (this does NOT include the cover page, bibliography or images)
2. Double-spaced
3. Cover page
4. Footnotes or endnotes
5. Bibliography
6. Images (in a separate document at the end of the paper)
7. Use at least 8 different research sources (including peer reviewed journal articles, books, exhibition catalogs, monographs, etc.)
8. Use at least 8-10 citations
On writing the paper:
1. The selection of a good thesis and supporting examples is an important part of producing a good paper. Be selective. The paper is about how to look closely at works of art and how your evaluation of objects and images is expanded by the specific context in which they are presented.
2. Write primarily with nouns and verbs. Avoid unnecessary (especially vague and imprecise) adjectives and adverbs.
3. Revise and rewrite. Proofread your work. Do not rely solely on “spell check.”
4. Use the dictionary to refer to words you do not fully understand.
5. Do not overstate, or excessively use qualifiers (such as very, rather, little, etc.). 6. Use orthodox diction and accurate spelling. (“Its” is possessive; “It’s” is a contraction for “it is,” “Its’ ” doesn’t exist. “Their” is possessive, “They’re” is a contraction of “they are,” There is declarative).
7. Be clear. Make references clearly. (Do not use the word “this” as the subject of a sentence).
8. Do not let your opinions get in the way of your writing.
9. Avoid using Wikipedia, blogs, newspaper articles and other materials that are not scholarly. These ARE NOT research materials for a formal research paper.
The following is the grading scale for my midterm paper, I think they will follow it this time too.
Visual Literacy Research Paper Rubric (Grading)
• 7-8 pages of text double spaced
• Images included at the end of paper, that are properly discussed and referenced in the text
• Proper paragraph structure/overall flow of paper
• Spelling and Grammar
• 8-10 sources that contribute to your argument — In text citations and a proper bibliography
• Thesis – Is your thesis argument/question clear, and do examples in your paper help support it?
• Demonstrate an understanding of themes discussed in class
• Analyze specific artworks by Kehinde Wiley
• Does your conclusion go a step beyond summary; does it synthesize the findings of your research?
• Overall quality of writing and paper: Are you able to intrigue and educate the reader?