Portraits have the power to elevate the person in it to a high societal status. We see the most famous and revered portraits in museums throughout the world. Most people recognize the great works of Western culture, particularly Renaissance work like da Vinci's Mona Lisa or Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel. Artists frequently look to artists of the past for inspiration for their own work. One such artist has both admired and questioned portraiture for decades. His exhibition is running through February 10, 2019 at the St. Louis Art Museum. I was fortunate enough to bring my students to the exhibition earlier this week. Kehinde Wiley inspires people from all walks of life by questioning portraiture as a status symbol. While recognizing the beauty and craftsmanship of previous artists, Wiley brings our attention to the purpose and meaning of the subjects in portraits. Why do portraits in Western culture almost always portray people of European descent? His work, in all of its absolute beauty, is unique. His subjects, ordinary people from St. Louis County, aren't rich or powerful. Yet, his use of color and mastery of portrait painting mesmerizes the viewer. The portraits are powerful. As you take in the rich details of the work, it is important to recognize that each painting is derivative of a previous portrait. Each portrait is based on a person who gained from slavery or profited from colonialism. By juxtaposing people of African descent into a similar pose while incorporating his signature patterns, Wiley takes back the narrative. It's as if he knows this action is an essential act towards healing. What Kehinde Wiley's Work Can Teach Us. The work showed that people can and should be elevated through portraiture. I particularly liked the fact that he chose to elevate people from Ferguson, Missouri. The artist's own feelings of love and kindness are evident in the artwork. The exquisite color, attention to minute details, and scale of the paintings make the viewer very aware that he values the people he painted. Because "Ferguson" the place seems synonymous with violence and racism after the killing of Mike Brown, this exhibition felt joyful. We cannot ignore the significance of Kehinde Wiley's message that people of color are noticeably absent in portrait art. Additionally, the people we don't see matter in every community. His ability to create works of art that convey beauty and a sense of community are inspirational. Perhaps, his art can point us towards a better understanding of the power to elevate people; in portraits and thus, society.