Kehinde Wiley to announce shock retirement?

Sad news for Wiley fans. Speculation had been rife that painter of Barack Obama’s portrait is about to announce his retirement from all public activities, at age 49, with immediate effect.

UPDATE 21/03/2026 : This story seems to be false. (read more)

Being an artist isn't fun anymore

“As we get older, there are phases of life that we enter into, and being an artist-painter just isn't fun anymore,” he might have said, says a source who remained anonymous. Other reports hinted that he may branch out into other creative fields he is better at (and more interested in), though they didn't provide any details.

#ThankYouKehinde

For a little while on Friday evening, #ThankYouKehinde was a trending hashtag on Twitter. As many fans reminisce and look back on all the unforgettable memories, some may wonder what about now made him make the decision.

“Kehinde Wiley was unlike any other artist we’ve ever seen! #ThankYouKehinde”
— @universalObserver, 20 Mar 2026

“Wiley wasn't retired?”
— @borisB0, 20 Mar 2026

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