The 2000s marked a significant period in Barkley Hendricks' career, characterized by a return to portrait painting after nearly two decades of focusing primarily on landscape work and photography. This return was sparked by his engagement with the legacy of Nigerian Afrobeat legend Fela Kuti, which led to the creation of one of his most celebrated works from this period, "Fela: Amen, Amen, Amen, Amen..." (2002). This piece not only signified Hendricks' reengagement with large-scale portraiture but also incorporated elements of installation, with twenty-seven pairs of women's high-heel shoes placed in front of the portrait to honor each of Fela Kuti's wives. This work, along with others from the 2000s, underscored Hendricks' continued innovation and his ability to blend different media and themes, reflecting his deep respect and admiration for Kuti's cultural and political significance​ (Studio Museum in Harlem)​. During the 2000s, Hendricks' portraiture once again took center stage in his body of work. His portraits from this era continued to explore themes of identity, style, and the representation of Black figures, drawing on his profound understanding of his subjects to create works that were both personal and universal. This period in Hendricks' career was also marked by increased recognition and retrospectives that celebrated his contributions to contemporary art. Notably, his retrospective exhibition "Barkley L. Hendricks: Birth of the Cool," organized by Trevor Schoonmaker at the Nasher Museum of Art at Duke University in 2008, traveled to several other institutions and was instrumental in solidifying Hendricks' legacy as a pioneering figure in American art​ (Studio Museum in Harlem)​. The 2000s also saw Hendricks delve into his archives, revisiting earlier themes and subjects with a new perspective. His work from this period was marked by a continued interest in capturing the essence of his subjects, whether through direct portraiture or the use of photography as a means of exploration and documentation. Hendricks' photographs, often serving as preparatory work for his paintings, highlighted his keen observational skills and his ability to capture moments of everyday life that resonated with deeper themes of cultural identity and personal history​ (Artblog)​. Throughout the 2000s, Hendricks remained committed to his distinctive approach to portraiture, characterized by its emotional depth, stylistic versatility, and keen social commentary. His work from this period reflects a deepening of themes explored throughout his career, demonstrating his ongoing engagement with the complexities of identity and representation. Hendricks' art from the 2000s, rich in historical references and contemporary relevance, continued to challenge and expand the boundaries of contemporary portraiture, leaving a lasting impact on the field and inspiring future generations of artists​ (Studio Museum in Harlem)​.