Wiley creates art using mixed media that stands out and captures attention from viewers as he contrasts two very different societies; the elite high class type of society, and a supposedly 'lower' class of street thugs. The flower patterns creates a visual effect which is eye catching, and he also uses patterns that resembles a vintage wallpaper. All components of his work contribute in conveying a message of breaking the boundaries in stereotypical societies. A good example of intertextuality would be the contrast made from the work where there is a black man riding on a white horse. In terms of the image itself, the background wallpaper pattern is rather inconsistent. The top half of the painting looks as if the main image of the horse and the man is infront of a green wallpaper. However, the bottom part of the painting, we see the patterns overlap. The image also have political connotations in the sense that a black man is riding a royal looking horse, posing exactly like paintings of the elite, typical upper-class paintings of royalties and presidents.
Pluralism is evident in these paintings, with the portrayal of african american males with their particular hip hop fashion and gang colours, carrying flags or stereotypical items- nothing but an urban myth of the 21st century because these images are what the media feed us. In reality, there might not even be people who dress like guys in the painting.
Wiley doesn't seem scared at the controversy that these paintings would spark as they carry deep, political messages and colonialism implications with them. For example, the western world view would be associated with upper-class society of aristocrats, who are mostly 'white' skinned. This also raise issues of racism and social hierarchy in the 21st century today.
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