Week 4 - Kehinde Wiley and inter-textuality

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.

Intertextuality refers to the way that any one text (written or visual) is influenced, or made up of a variety of other earlier texts. As a result, the notion of intertexuality suggests that whenever we try to make sense of a text (written or visual) we are constantly referring back to our understanding of its influences to help us understand it. - ALVC resource book (2011). intertextuality, p.36

2. Research Wiley's work and write a paragraph that analyses how we might make sense of his work. Identify intertextuality in Wiley's work.

Wiley produced work mainly of African American people. My thought on his work is that it is based on racism. He represents equality in race by purposely composing African American men in his work by painting them in heroic/posh poses that were “mainly” used by white people in the old days. Intertextuality is demonstrated through the use of African American men posing in heroic/posh poses. Meaning Wiley thought about the history between black and white people and his work emphasizes the fact that black people can be at the same posh/high level as the rich white people.

3. Wiley's work relates to next week’s Postmodern theme "PLURALISM" . Read page 46 and discuss how the work relates to this theme.

Pluralism is when every belief is valid, everything is equal. And in Wiley’s work, he continuously emphasises the fact that everything is even. Blacks and whites are even.

4. Comment on how Wiley's work raises questions around social/cultural hierarchies , colonisation, globalisation, stereotypes and the politics which govern a western worldview.

Firstly, Wiley paints African American males in his portraits with sophisticated looking backgrounds, something of royalty and elegance that were present in portraits from the past, or when commissioned paintings were at large. He toys with social hierarchies just by placing stereotypical ‘white’ person who are usually present in these positions. With the world changing and new technology and machinery coming in from the European culture, he paints the black males in their normal social apparel, going against the stereotype of black men being thugs by placing in posh poses.

5. Add some reflective comments of your own, which may add more information that
you have read during your research.