1. Find a clear definition of Intertextuality and quote it accurately on your blog using the APA referencing system. Use your own words to explain the definition more thoroughly.
“Relating to or deriving meaning from the interdependent ways in which texts stand in relation to each other.” [The Free Dictionary, 2011]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition copyright ©2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin CompanyRetrieved 30 August 2011. Retrieved from: http://www.thefreedictionary.com/intertextual
I take intertextuality to mean the way in which everything that is created has been based on something else, whether intentionally or unintentionally.
2. Research Wiley's work and write a paragraph that analyzes how we might make sense of his work. Identify intertextuality in Wiley's work.
Prince Tonosso Francesco of Savoy-Carignano 2005
Wiley paints portraits of urban African American men in the style of well known 17th century to 19th century western painters. He clearly references the paintings by having his subjects in the same poses as the originals. He keeps them in their urban clothing and juxtaposes them with intricate, colourful and floral backgrounds. This contrast adds interest and almost gives it a comedic edge. At the same time he makes the point, who deserves to have their portrait painted? By placing people who are usually on a lower social standing in such an ornate setting, he celebrates them for what they are. He often brings out their strong, courageous side in his paintings.
St Francis 2007
3. Wiley's work relates to next weeks Postmodern theme "PLURALISM" . Read page 46 and discuss how the work relates to this theme.
Pluralism is the belief that all are equal and every belief is valid. Wiley’s work relates to pluralism because he is celebrating a social group that are not usually celebrated in this way. By celebrating the minority he is encouraging pluralism.
Triple Portrait of Charles I 2007
4. Comment on how Wiley's work raises questions around social/cultural hierarchies , colonisation, globalisation, stereotypes and the politics which govern a western worldview.
The Chancellor Seguier on Horseback 2005
His work raises the question, why was the white man so celebrated in grand paintings while those from different places with different skin colours were not. I think this has to do with colonisation and globalization in that the white man was the one travelling to other peoples and therefore saw himself as superior. They stereotypes have since developed from this, where the black man is seen as poor worker and, sadly, often associated with crime. The white man is seen as having a superiority complex and being racist toward those not like them. This view is predominant in a western society.
5. Add some reflective comments of your own, which may add more information that
you have read during your research.
5. Add some reflective comments of your own, which may add more information that
you have read during your research.
St Bartholomew 2007
Madonna of the Roasry II
hey that's an interesting point about wiley actually robbing his subjects of his masculinity in some of works, by making them too graceful and tranquil and stuff. Maybe the fact Kehinde Wiley is gay has something to do with, as in maybe he paints them in way that he personally finds (ahem) 'appealing'. It's also interesting how he found this style because he was commissioned to paint portraits of a hip hop team and used traditional paintings as genuine reference to help him out. I didn't know that. In fact, if I had read your blog sooner I probably would have copied and pasted that point into my own blog. Anyways, that suggest that Wiley settled on this style mainly because he liked the aesthetic results, as in, he mixed the hip hop with the elegant opulence of traditional fine art one day and went: "Hey that looks really good, I think I'll paint handsome young men in this style more often".
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