Kehinde Wiley’s exhibitions stopped after allegations of sexual harassment

Editor’s Note: The following story contains mentions of sexual assault and harassment. The National Sexual Assault Hotline can be reached at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or online.rainn.org.

Two museums have cancelled or postponed their new edition of a traveling exhibition about the American painter Kehinde Wiley after allegations of sexual assault were made against the artist.

A spokesman for the Minneapolis Institute of Art (Mia) said Hyperallergic that they were “considering taking over the Kehinde Wiley exhibition, but due to these unfortunate allegations, we will not be moving forward with this presentation.” A representative of the Joslyn Art Museum in Nebraska, where the show was scheduled to premiere in September, said the institution was rethinking its exhibition plan. “Kehinde Wiley: Omaha will not be introduced in 2024,” the spokesperson confirmed. “The Joslyn will announce all updates at a later date.”

The news about the program changes, first reported by Art News and that Flatwater Free Pressfollows at least four allegations of sexual misconduct, all made against the prominent artist within less than a month. Wiley has vehemently denied the allegations, calling them “baseless and defamatory.”

“It’s disappointing that this social media-driven invention distracts from the purpose of the tour: to shed light on the injustices that Black and Brown people face in our society,” Wiley said. Hyperallergic in a statement. “These allegations are completely false and raise more questions about their credibility and motivation than there are facts to support their authenticity.”

In an Instagram post last month, artist Joseph Awuah-Darko accused Wiley of assaulting him twice during an event in Ghana in 2021. Barely two weeks later, activist Derrick Ingram came forward with his own allegations of sexual violence, posting on Instagram that Wiley “raped (unprotected) and sexually assaulted” him in his Soho apartment in September 2021 during a relationship that lasted about four months. Ingram claimed Wiley asked him to sign a non-disclosure agreement, a claim Wiley denies.

In addition to these allegations, UK-based artist Nathaniel Lloyd Richards accused Wiley of “aggressive and violent” touching and groping during a date in 2019. In a signed statement shared with HyperallergicRichards wrote that Wiley’s behavior made him feel “unsafe” and that this ultimately led to him leaving the date early.

Yesterday, photographer Terrell Armistead became the fourth person to accuse Wiley of assault. On Instagram, he claimed he was “groped and sexually assaulted” by the painter in his apartment in 2010 after they met at the now-closed Secret Lounge bar on West 29th Street. Armistead claims he fell asleep in the apartment and woke up to Wiley performing oral sex on him.

Wiley has denied all allegations. In response to Armistead’s latest allegations, Wiley’s attorney Jennifer Barrett said Wiley “does not know who this latest accuser is.” She also sent Hyperallergic Photos of the two dogs that Armistead reportedly saw at Wiley’s home in 2010, with the note that Wiley did not adopt the first dog until 2015.

“Sadly, this appears to be yet another example of an individual being manipulated into joining Mr. Awuah-Darko’s slanderous campaign. He is harassing Mr. Wiley’s friends and colleagues in a desperate attempt to obtain information that will support his vendetta and build his false case,” Barrett said.

On Instagram, Wiley posted screenshots of messages and social media exchanges with Awuah-Darko and Ingram in the months following the alleged incidents.

An online petition started by Awuah-Darko calling on the galleries representing Wiley to investigate the allegations has almost reached its goal of 1,000 signatures. “We must empower those who have suffered in silence and create a safe space for victims to come forward,” Awuah-Darko writes in the petition text.