Kehinde Wiley was born in Los Angeles, California in 1977. His father is Yoruba from Nigeria, and his mother is African-American. As a child, his mother supported his interest in art and enrolled him in after-school art classes. At the age of 12, he spent a short time at an art school in Russia.[3]

Wiley did not grow up with his father, and at the age of 20 traveled to Nigeria to explore his roots and meet him.[4] Wiley earned his BFA from the San Francisco Art Institute in 1999 and his MFA from Yale University, School of Art in 2001.[1]

Wiley identifies as gay

Last fall, it was announced that Barack Obama had selected Kehinde Wiley to paint his official presidential portrait, to be displayed in the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery in Washington, D.C. Wiley’s previous subjects have included music figures such as the Notorious B.I.G., LL Cool J, Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, Michael Jackson, and more. Earlier today, Wiley’s portrait of the 44th President of the United States was officially unveiled during a ceremony attended by Barack and Michelle Obama, held at the National Portrait Gallery.

“I tried to negotiate less gray hair and Kehinde's artistic integrity would not allow (him) to do what I asked,” Obama joked. “I tried to negotiate smaller ears. Struck out on that as well.” The official portrait of Michelle Obama was also revealed, painted by Amy Sherald. Find those below, and also watch video from the unveiling ceremony.

Why tagged him as gay? i think it is not necessary