Artist Kehinde Wiley refutes allegations of sexual misconduct

Kehinde Wiley, the American artist famous for painting former US President Barack Obama’s official portrait, has denied allegations of sexual assault.

In a recent Instagram post, British-Ghanaian artist and curator Joseph Awuah-Darko claimed that Wiley sexually assaulted him twice in 2021. The first incident allegedly took place on June 9, 2021, during a dinner at the Noldor Artist Residency in Ghana, held in honor of Wiley’s artwork. Awuah-Darko is the founder and chairman of the Accra-based program.

He stated in a post that he was touched inappropriately by Wiley, in the presence of another guest, and he found the action unwelcome and unprovoked. He also mentioned a more severe and violent incident that occurred later that day, but did not provide details. (During a later interview with the New York Times, he shared that a sexual encounter started consensually but escalated in a bedroom, where Wiley forced himself on him after he expressed his desire to stop.)

Awuah-Darko expressed in the post that the assaults had a profound impact on him, almost causing his destruction. He expressed his hope that his story would encourage others to speak out.

Shortly after the post was published, Wiley denied the allegations. He took to his own Instagram to address the situation, stating that the accusations were false. According to him, the claims made against him were not true and were disrespectful to all victims of sexual abuse.

Wiley expressed confusion as to why he was being targeted in this manner. He mentioned that there was ample evidence to prove that the accusations were unfounded. Despite this, he wished the accuser well and hoped that they would seek the necessary help for whatever they were going through. In conclusion, he requested privacy as he worked to clear his name.

Kehinde Wiley and former President Barack Obama revealed the presidential portrait during a special ceremony at the Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery in Washington, DC on February 12, 2018.

Kehinde Wiley and former President Barack Obama unveil his presidential portrait during a ceremony at the Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery, on February 12, 2018 in Washington, DC.

Representatives for Wiley shared a cease and desist letter with CNN. They claim it was sent to Awuah-Darko, asking him to take down Instagram posts that they say are untrue and harmful to Wiley's reputation. The letter accuses Awuah-Darko of spreading false information for personal gain.

CNN was provided with copies of messages exchanged between Awuah-Darko and Wiley, which Wiley's representatives claim were sent after the alleged assault. In some messages, Awuah-Darko is seen arranging to attend Wiley's birthday party in Nigeria, while in another, he asks if he can visit Wiley at his home in upstate New York. (However, it seems that Wiley did not respond to this message.)

Although Awuah-Darko and his legal representative did not immediately respond to CNN's request for further comments on the allegations and Wiley's response, Awuah-Darko mentioned in a statement on Instagram on Sunday that he initially struggled to come to terms with the abuse he experienced. He admitted that it took him "several months to come to grips with what actually happened."

Awuah-Darko admitted to the New York Times that he may not fit the mold of a perfect sexual assault victim, but he bravely shared his experience. In a video on Instagram from March, he disclosed being sexually assaulted by someone with more privilege and power than him. He is seeking to raise $200,000 for legal expenses.

Awuah-Darko announced on Monday that he intended to take legal action, as mentioned in his Instagram stories. His legal representative has not yet responded to CNN's requests for further comments. Awuah-Darko explained in a post on Sunday that reporting the assault in Ghana would have been risky due to the country's negative views towards LGBTQ individuals. This concern is heightened by the passing of a controversial bill in February criminalizing LGBTQ relationships and support for LGBTQ rights by Ghana's parliament.

Wiley gained global recognition in 2017 for his selection to paint Obama's official portrait at the Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery. The portrait he created depicted the 44th president in a vibrant manner, set against a backdrop of green foliage and symbolic flowers.

"Portrait of Nana Akufo-Addo, President of Ghana" (2023) by Kehinde Wiley. The painting is one of 11 portraits of African heads of state and former heads of state produced by Wiley as part of a secret, decade-long project titled "A Maze of Power," on display at the Musée du quai Branly - Jacques Chirac in Paris, France.

This is a painting of Nana Akufo-Addo, the President of Ghana, created by artist Kehinde Wiley in 2023. The artwork is part of a collection of 11 portraits of African leaders, both current and former, in a project called "A Maze of Power." You can see this painting on exhibit at the Musée du quai Branly - Jacques Chirac in Paris, France.

Tanguy Beurdeley/© Courtesy Kehinde Wiley and Galerie Templon

Related article

Kehinde Wiley, a Yale University-trained painter, spent a decade on a secret project painting African leaders. Before this, he had established himself in the art world by creating portraits and sculptures that depicted Black individuals in the style of Old Master paintings, creating striking and elaborate pieces.

Editor's P/S:

The allegations against Keh