Amref Honors Artist Kehinde Wiley with The Rees Visionary Award at ArtBall 2024

Celebrated African-American artist Kehinde Wiley is set to be honored with the prestigious Rees Visionary Award at this year’s ArtBall 2024, hosted by Amref Health Africa (Amref), the leading healthcare organization on the African continent. Known for his groundbreaking portraits that reimagine people of color in the classical style of Old Master paintings, Wiley has captured global attention for his iconic works, including the portrait of former U.S. President Barack Obama displayed at the National Portrait Gallery.

“Amref’s commitment to strengthening Africa’s health infrastructure is crucial and I particularly want to acknowledge their programs in Senegal and Nigeria, two countries that are of significant importance to my journey. I am grateful to be recognized with the Rees Visionary Award for my artistic practice and my founding of Black Rock Global Arts Foundation, which is on a mission to support new artistic creation and to incite change in the global discourse about what Africa means today.” – Kehinde Wiley

The Rees Visionary Award, named in tribute to Amref’s founder Dr. Thomas Rees, is bestowed upon individuals who have significantly influenced the dialogue surrounding African and Black art. Wiley’s innovative approach to portraiture has not only reshaped artistic conventions but also sparked vital conversations about representation and identity.

Kehinde Wiley, The Three Graces (Coumba, Mariama, Rokhaya), 2023. © Kehinde Wiley. Courtesy of Stephen Friedman Gallery, London

“Amref Health Africa is thrilled to honor Kehinde Wiley at ArtBall 2024. ArtBall was started to not only raise funds for our healthcare work but also to celebrate the greatness of the African continent through art and culture. Every year at the event, we honor an artist with the Rees Visionary Award. The award is named after our late founder, Dr. Thomas Rees, who was a pioneering reconstructive surgeon, pilot, author, musician, and sculptor. This Award is given to artists we feel are not only changing the narrative around African and Black art, but also creating exceptional work that educates, inspires, and emboldens the viewer through these challenging times. This year, we chose to honor Wiley and celebrate “Black Presence”, aligning with his focus on reclaiming the presence of Black people: their royalty, their martyrs, and their everyday lives, in the world of fine art.” – Emily Correale, Director, Amref Health Africa

ArtBall 2024 promises an evening of artistic splendor, featuring a Contemporary African and Black art auction, live entertainment, an open bar, and a delectable fusion of cuisine. Curated by esteemed art connoisseurs Storm Ascher, Natalie Kates, Cierra Britton, Alexandra Giniger, and Nadia Nascimento, the event will showcase works generously donated by acclaimed artists.

Scheduled for May 4th, 2024, in the vibrant borough of Brooklyn, ArtBall will serve as a platform to recognize Wiley’s profound contributions to the art world and his dedication to amplifying marginalized voices through his craft.

Kehinde Wiley

Born in Los Angeles in 1977, Kehinde Wiley is an American artist renowned for his captivating portraits that juxtapose people of color within the grandeur of classical European art. His works challenge conventional narratives, offering a fresh perspective on the representation of Black and Brown individuals. Notably, Wiley made history in 2018 as the first African-American artist commissioned to paint an official U.S. Presidential portrait, chosen by President Barack Obama for the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery.

In addition to his artistic achievements, Wiley is the founder of Black Rock Senegal, an artist-in-residence program based in Dakar, Senegal, which invites creatives from around the globe to collaborate and innovate. Recognized for his cultural contributions, Wiley has received numerous accolades, including the U.S. Department of State’s Medal of Arts and France’s Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters. He currently resides and works in Beijing, Dakar, and New York City.

Kehinde Wiley, Portrait of Mame Kéwé Aminata Lô, 2021. © Kehinde Wiley. Courtesy of Galerie Templon, Paris

Amref Health Africa

Amref Health Africa (Amref) is committed to empowering African communities by delivering accessible, sustainable, and culturally sensitive healthcare solutions. With a predominantly African staff, Amref works tirelessly to enhance healthcare access, promote preventive care, and foster community ownership over health outcomes. Over the past year alone, Amref has reached over 31 million individuals across the continent.

Kehinde Wiley

Amref Health Africa

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