Artist Amy Sherald has made headlines by canceling her upcoming exhibition at the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery. Renowned for her vibrant portraits that capture the African American experience, Sherald is probably best known for her portrait of Michelle Obama, which has garnered significant acclaim.
The exhibition, titled Amy Sherald: American Sublime, was to be a major event, showcasing a comprehensive collection of her work. It was organized by the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art and was set to run for five months starting September 19. However, Sherald pulled out due to a dispute over one of her paintings called Trans Forming Liberty, 2024. This piece features a trans woman with pink hair holding a torch, a subject that raised concerns among officials at the National Portrait Gallery.
In a statement, Sherald expressed her disappointment, noting that “institutional fear shaped by a broader climate of political hostility toward trans lives played a role” in the decision-making process regarding her work. An attempt to replace her painting with a video of audience reactions to it also did not sit well with her. She felt that this would undermine the integrity of her artistic vision.
Interestingly, Sherald’s connection to the Smithsonian is significant; she was the first Black woman to win the National Portrait Gallery’s Outwin Boochever Portrait Competition in 2016. Her work has been about highlighting stories often left untold, making her withdrawal from this exhibition a notable moment in the ongoing conversation about representation in art.
The Smithsonian expressed disappointment over the cancellation, emphasizing their appreciation for Sherald’s contributions while clarifying that the video was intended to complement her piece, not replace it.
This incident resonates in broader discussions about art and censorship, particularly amidst a climate where political influences are felt in many aspects of cultural institutions. Public reactions on social media revealed a mix of support for Sherald and criticism of the museum’s handling of the situation.
As the cultural landscape shifts, Sherald’s story underscores the ongoing struggle for artistic freedom and the pressures artists face when their work intersects with political views. Sherald’s bold decisions highlight the vital role of art in challenging norms and advocating for diverse representation.
