Exquisite textiles, vibrant colors, and portraits of iconic figures in African American culture have made Bisa Butler one of the most sought-out contemporary artists working today. Influenced by the works of Faith Ringgold, Romare Bearden, and AfriCOBRA artists, she creates portraits that celebrate African American culture. She often works from photographic archives, using images of the unknown workers who built the White House, for example. Butler, who learned how to quilt before she trained as a painter, combines a traditional portrait approach with a quilting practice, honoring and building on African American quilting aesthetics and traditions.   Black is King is from a series inspired by contemporary individuals shaping the discourse of race around the world. The life-size male figure dressed in colorful attire against a vibrant background is Trevor Stuurman, an award-winning multimedia artist who worked closely with Beyoncé in the 2020 film Black Is King. Beyond his musical achievements, Stuurman is considered a global humanitarian and leading voice for social change. Combining several bright fabrics, Butler represents him here as a beacon for social justice.