Skip to content
Kehinde Wiley in Kehinde Wiley: An Economy of Grace

In recognition of Black History Month, Hamptons Doc Fest and the Parrish Art Museum will present a program of two short films: one focusing on contemporary African American portrait artist Kehinde Wiley and the second on the works of art that sprang up in response to the tragic death of Breonna Taylor, in particular, a painting by Amy Sherald. Both films brilliantly celebrate the talent of two African American artists but tell their stories from very different perspectives.

Following the film screenings, we will host a live conversation via Zoom with director Dawn Porter, who was honored with Hampton Doc Fest’s prestigious Pennebaker Award in December 2021, and award-winning producer Jessica Chermayeff, moderated by Corinne Erni, Parrish Senior Curator of ArtsReach and Special Projects.

Kehinde Wiley: An Economy of Grace
2014, 38 min, Director: Jeffrey Dupre
Producers: Jessica Chermayeff, Jeff Dupre, Ana Veselic
A PBS Production

Known for his vibrant reinterpretations of classical portraits featuring African American men, New York-based painter Kehinde Wiley has turned the practice of portraiture on its head and in the process has taken the art world by storm. In the film, Wiley turns his talents to African American women as part of his exploration of image and status of African Americans throughout history. As Wiley himself explained: “I am painting women in order to come to terms with the depictions of gender within the context of art history. One has to broaden the conversation.” The film won the Jury Prize at SXSW, the Audience Award at Provincetown Film Festival was nominated for an Emmy, and was shortlisted for an Academy Award.

Bree Wayy: Promise, Witness, Remembrance
2021, 28 min, Director: Dawn Porter
Producers: Niema Jordan, Kim Reynold, Cubie King
MTV Documentary Films

After the tragic death of Breonna Taylor, artists all over the country found solace by creating works of art to pay tribute to the life and light of the 26-year-old EMT and budding nurse killed by the police. This includes renowned painter, Amy Sherald, whose portrait of Breonna is the centerpiece of the Speed Art Museum’s exhibition, Promise, Witness, Remembrance, shown in Breonna’s hometown of Louisville, Kentucky. The film pays homage to art and creativity as a way to protest injustice and create a space to heal, led by the indomitable spirit and love of Breonna’s mother, Tamika Palmer.