Kehinde Wiley unveils portraits of African leaders in Morocco
American-Nigerian artist, Kehinde Wiley, widely recognised for his iconic portrait of former U.S. President Barack Obama, has unveiled his latest exhibition in Morocco, spotlighting a collection of African leaders portrayed in regal, classical style.
Titled “A Maze of Power,” the series features large-scale portraits that blur historical grandeur with contemporary Black identity. The show debuted at the Mohammed VI Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art in Rabat after previous runs in Paris and Dakar.
At the opening, Wiley said his intention was to examine the symbolism of power—how it’s constructed, celebrated, and sometimes questioned. “This body of work takes a wide-angle look at power through portraiture, not a granular study of governance,” he said.
Among the works is a striking image of Ethiopia’s former president, Sahle-Work Zewde, standing near a window with Addis Ababa unfurling behind her. Another depicts Madagascar’s former president, Hery Rajaonarimampianina, confidently mounted on horseback. Ivory Coast President Alassane Ouattara is shown gripping a sword, his brow furrowed in concentration.
Wiley said the project stemmed from his interest in how authority is visually represented across cultures. “I’m less concerned with political legacies and more focused on the aesthetics and cultural weight of leadership,” he said. “This isn’t about individual policies or controversies. It’s about how we visualise and reimagine authority.”
To prepare, Wiley met with presidents from across Africa, photographing each of them extensively before placing them in elaborate settings—some real, others imagined. He often showed them classical paintings as references, encouraging each to embody a pose of their choosing.
The portraits echo the visual language of European aristocracy, a technique Wiley has used throughout his career to challenge historical power dynamics. Earlier works saw young Black men positioned like generals and kings, part of his broader effort to rewrite who is seen in elite artistic spaces.
The Rabat exhibition arrives just as the museum aims to cement its status as a pan-African cultural hub. It also serves as a prelude to the upcoming Museum of the African Continent, set to open across the street next year.
Wiley’s work has long been defined by both reverence and provocation. While “A Maze of Power” highlights the grandeur of state leadership, some of its subjects have faced criticism for anti-democratic actions. Among them are Rwandan President Paul Kagame and Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi, whose nations are currently entangled in armed conflict in eastern Congo.
Still, Wiley insists the series is not about political judgment. “This project is more about pulling way back and having a sort of bird’s-eye view at the phenomena of the political portrait itself,” he said.
Since his Obama portrait catapulted him to international fame in 2018, Wiley has expanded his reach globally. He credits that recognition with helping him gain access to African heads of state and deepen his exploration of global Black identity.
Written by Kweku Sampson.
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