US State Department moves to sell painting by Nigerian-born Obama portrait artist Kehinde Wiley

The State Department is exploring options to sell a painting by celebrated Nigerian-American artist Kehinde Wiley, best known for his 2018 portrait of former President Barack Obama, after officials labeled the work “woke.”

According to The Washington Post, the painting, “Young Artists After Siamesas 1960,” was removed this month from the U.S. Embassy in the Dominican Republic. Ambassador Leah Campos shared video of its removal, citing a move away from “woke” ideologies.

Art in Embassies executive director Erin Scavino described the piece as “very woke” and “aesthetically terrifying.” The department said it is consulting legal representatives on a potential sale.