State Dept Proposes Sale of Kehinde Wiley Painting from Dominican Embassy

artAug 24, 202615463

The State Department removed a Kehinde Wiley portrait that depicted Dominicans from the U.S. embassy in the Dominican Republic and officials have proposed selling the painting. The work is by Kehinde Wiley, the artist who painted Barack Obama’s presidential portrait. Erin Scavino, identified in posts as the director of the Art in Embassies program and the wife of Dan Scavino, called the painting "very woke" and "aesthetically terrifying." The New York Times reported on the proposal and on critics who condemned the removal as motivated by race and politics. Wiley’s supporters and other commentators have publicly criticized the decision and framed it as an attack on the artist’s visibility in U.S. diplomatic settings. The State Department proposal would put the removed embassy work into a disposal process rather than on display at the mission.

Greg Greene (he/him/his)

@greene.haus

“[A State Department official called the painting] ‘very woke’ and ‘aesthetically terrifying.’” The painting:

A Kehinde Wiley portrait of four Dominicans — two men relaxed on the ground, two women standing, one subject of each gender having white skin while the other has darker skin. The four appear immersed in a backdrop of flowers — an aesthetic signature of Wiley’s work.

3884h ago

Greg Greene (he/him/his)52

We end up presented with two portraits: Wiley’s, which is dope, and a textbook-perfect picture of white fragility.

Elana Levin20

He’s one of the best living painters imho.

Constantine16

Frightened of a Kehinde Wiley portrait of Black people is a wild level of white fear.

yellatthevoid.bsky.social10

Calling this painting “aesthetically terrifying” and “very woke” is a fun way to tell everyone you’re a dumbass.

Raven of8

not to point out the obvious but this is about him having painted portraits of the obamas, yes?

Gabrielle7

Tbf, I tend to find most of the admin aesthetically terrifying as well

Quoting this

mtsw107

But it's Normal Art instead of Normal Guy

Greg Greene (he/him/his)52

We end up presented with two portraits: Wiley’s, which is dope, and a textbook-perfect picture of white fragility.

Amanda Katz47

I really like Kahinde Wiley’s work in general, but this one is particularly ravishing bsky.app/profile/gree...

David Brace40

Ok kids, "aesthetically terrifying." Finally something to aspire to.

gregorg37

the "official" is erin elmore scavino, the apprentice contestant who runs art in embassies and married wh deputy dan scovino at mar-a-lago, where she partied with her friend jenni parido, who hijacked the us pavilion at the venice biennale with an insta-non-profit

Anna Kornbluh23

well ok show us your best "very woke" and "aesthetically terrifying"

Prasad Jallepalli, MD, PhD7

"The State Department recently removed the painting of Dominicans from a U.S. embassy, noting it was by the artist who made Barack Obama’s presidential portrait."

Elly5

Whew this is where I wish so BAD I had a couple/hundred mil or whatever TF this is gonna be going for. I don’t have a wall big enough for that but that’s a painting you BUILD a wall for 😍

East Bay Booksellers5

These fools are terrified of their own shadows.

Robert Stribley4

“aesthetically terrifying” - conservatism really is defined by being afraid of anything that’s different, that you’re unfamiliar with

Ignacio Gallup-Diaz

@igallupd.bsky.social

“Trump Officials Propose Sale of ‘Woke’ Painting by Kehinde Wiley: The State Department recently removed the painting of Dominicans from a U.S. embassy, noting it was by the artist who made Barack Obama’s presidential portrait.”

355h ago

Sarah J. Jackson6

these are the people against cancel culture

wivic.bsky.social2

There's a dumpster for the Trump things come 2029.

j-waller55.bsky.social2

Yet another sign of Trump's Obama envy.

ouinne2

I was privileged to see some of his work in a show a couple years ago and the pictures do not do them justice, they are extraordinary works of art by any standard.

Kate in PA1

Nothing is too small for our teeny tiny leader's focus. And Obama is a huge trigger for his minuscule brain.

CMHoskins1

Are. You. F**king. Kidding. Me?

Quoting this

Kevin3

Another petty and insecure act from the most petty and insecure asshole to ever draw breath.

Josh J Architect2

The ambassador is related to the Real World lady Rachel Campos Duffy and the curator is the new bride of Dan Scavino

Just Be Kind2

Their pettiness and grievance are just off the charts.

Constantine

@ajaxsinger.bsky.social

Frightened of a Kehinde Wiley portrait of Black people is a wild level of white fear.

153h ago

Prasad Jallepalli, MD, PhD

@prasad.bsky.social

"Barack Obama" Official Portrait National Portrait Gallery Smithsonian Institution Washington, D.C. npg.si.edu/learn/classr... Artist: Kehinde Wiley Brooklyn, New York kehindewiley.com/special-proj...

123h ago

David Darmofal

@daviddarmofal.bsky.social

More insane racism from the Trump-Vance administration. I mean if you don't like Kehinde Wiley's art, I don't know what to tell you other than that you have no taste in art.

24h ago

cdneh45.bsky.social

@cdneh45.bsky.social

Kehinde Wiley is a world famous major artist, I saw a special exhibit at the Venice Biennale a few years ago devoted to his art. I guess I’m asking, are they out of their fricking minds??!!??

54h ago

AJ Stands With Major Watson

@aag-aj.bsky.social

Trump Officials Propose Sale of ‘Woke’ Painting by Kehinde Wiley www.nytimes.com/2026/08/24/a... kick these fuckers out of our White House. #VoteInNumbersTooBigToScrewWith

13h ago

Cracked Pots

@crackedpots.bsky.social

These people are so freaking petty! Small minds, egos and no confidence. That’s why they’re so petty. They are frightened insecure children. Traump Officials Propose Sale of ‘Woke’ Painting by Kehinde Wiley

15h ago

Alicia Ault

@aliciaault.bsky.social

Erin Scavino, the apparently fragile director of the Art in Embassies program (and wife of Dan Scavino) called the painting “very woke” and “aesthetically terrifying.” You can't make this stuff up. Also, PS: Any sale would likely greatly enrich Wiley. #fineart #museums #politics #culture

25h ago

J.F. "Jeff" McCullers, EdD

@jeffmccullers.com

You said it all right there. I wonder when will State remember that they have a splendid gallery and description of Wiley's work on their Web site. art.state.gov/personnel/ke...

13h ago

Huggybear 🟧

@antiracistpupil.bsky.social

www.nytimes.com/2026/08/24/a... Trump officials are vile and ridiculous. Don’t let them stifle Kehinde Wiley’s voice.

15h ago

Drake Long

@drmlong.bsky.social

The only apparent reason for the painting being ‘woke’ is the fact it depicts black and Dominican people. In the US Embassy to the Dominican Republic.

4h ago

Andrew Stout

@thomasacstout.bsky.social

I'm sure Mr. Wiley is devastated to discover that the folks at Tr*mp's state department aren't fans www.nytimes.com/2026/08/24/a...

4h ago

Gregory Tentler

@gtentler.bsky.social

It's like the world is run by pathetic 13-year-old losers desperate to be noticed. Seriously get a legitimate five-year plan together or just stop. This is so fucking weak. Trump Officials Propose Sale of ‘Woke’ Painting by Kehinde Wiley www.nytimes.com/2026/08/24/a...

3h ago

Lpeterp

@lpeterp.bsky.social

So Trump State Department removes a commissioned Kehinde Wiley painting from display & hopes to sell it. "Too woke" says the Trumpster Arts in Embassy Director who has no background in art.

4h ago

1 source

nytimes.comTrump Officials Propose Sale of ‘Woke’ Painting by Kehinde Wiley (Gift Article)

State Dept Proposes Sale of Kehinde Wiley Painting from Dominican Embassyart

State Dept Proposes Sale of Kehinde Wiley Painting from Dominican Embassy

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