Featuring artwork by Kehinde Wiley, the artist who was commissioned to paint a portrait of President Barack Obama, these poker-sized, linen-embossed decks are inspired by European art history and portrait traditions. Wiley is best known for his vibrant portrayals of contemporary African-Diasporic individuals that subvert the hierarchies and conventions of European and American portraiture. Wiley will donate net proceeds from the cards to support Black Rock, his artist in residence program in Dakar, Senegal. Each complete deck of 54 Kehinde Wiley Playing Cards measures 3.5h x 2.5w x 0.5"d and is sold separately. 

The painting was part of Kehinde Wiley’s exhibition An Economy of Grace, the artist's first-ever series dedicated to female subjects which celebrates the strength and beauty of Black femininity.

The subject, holding a golden-sheathed sword, adopts the same stoic pose as many historic European monarchs did in their court portraits.  Rather than elaborate robes or furs that would be typical of someone maintaining this stance, Wiley's sitter is dressed in a vibrant red crewneck, jeans and Nike sneakers.