August 5, 2024
Visual artists

Joseph Awuah-Darko alleges Kehinde Wiley sexually assaulted him


Visual artist Joseph Awuah-Darko, pictured, has accused renowned painter Kehinde Wiley of sexually assaulting him in the summer of 2021.

Joseph Awuah-Darko is accusing fellow visual artist Kehinde Wiley of sexual assault.

In a harrowing Instagram post Sunday, the Ghanaian artist alleged Wiley assaulted him twice in June 2021.

“I was sexually assaulted by @kehindewiley. It almost destroyed me,” Awuah-Darko wrote. “I hope my words and openness about my painful experience empower others to come forward. I hope all that unravels creates a path towards not only accountability, but recompense and collective healing for other victims.”

Wiley seemingly responded to Awuah-Darko’s allegations in his own Instagram post Sunday.

“Someone I had a brief, consensual relationship with almost three years ago is now making a false accusation about our time together,” Wiley wrote. “I kindly ask for privacy as I work to clear my name.”

Need a break? Play the USA TODAY Daily Crossword Puzzle.

Wiley, pictured, seemingly responded to Awuah-Darko's allegations of sexual assault in his own Instagram post Sunday, calling the claims a "false accusation."

David Copperfield:Magician faces numerous allegations of sexual misconduct in new investigation

USA TODAY has reached out to representatives for Awuah-Darko and Wiley for comment.

Wiley is a New York painter who became a star in the art world for his images of everyday people — people of color from Harlem, Haiti, France and beyond — done up in the style of grand European portraits once reserved for kings, queens and assorted nobles. He’s also painted portraits of celebrities, including Spike Lee, Carmelo Anthony and former President Barack Obama.

Joseph Awuah-Darko details pair of Kehinde Wiley sexual assaults

In his Instagram post, Awuah-Darko claimed he first met Wiley during a dinner held in Wiley’s honor at the Noldor Artist Residency, which he founded in 2020.

While ushering Wiley and another dinner guest to the bathroom, Awuah-Darko was allegedly groped by Wiley when the painter grabbed his buttocks and said “something along the lines of ‘what is this thing?’ ” Awuah-Darko said he subsequently “placated the situation with awkward humor.”





Source link

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *