Amy Sherald Cancels Exhibit Over Censorship Concerns
Artist Amy Sherald has decided to pull her upcoming exhibit, “American Sublime,” from the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery in Washington. This decision arises from her worries about the museum’s handling of what she describes as a “culture of censorship.”
Sherald indicated that Smithsonian secretary Ronnie G. Bunch III suggested replacing one of her paintings, “Transforming Liberty,” with a video showcasing viewers’ reactions to the artwork.
The painting features a transgender woman alongside an image of the Statue of Liberty, a representation that Sherald feels deserves proper context and visibility.
“I can’t adhere to a good conscience, especially when targeting vulnerable communities,” she commented. This cancellation was first reported by the New York Times.
She further emphasized that “silence is not an option when trans people are opposed, silenced and at risk throughout our country.” Sherald is well-known for her portrait of former First Lady Michelle Obama, which she unveiled at the gallery in 2018.
In 2016, she made history as the first black woman to win the National Portrait Gallery’s Outwin Boocever Portrait Competition, earning a $25,000 prize.
Sherald expressed concern that the video wouldn’t properly honor her work: “The video was meant to discuss the value of trans visibility, and I opposed it being part of the ‘sublime’ story of America,” she explained.
Contrarily, a spokesperson for the Smithsonian disputed Bunch’s interpretation, clarifying that he wanted to include the video alongside her artwork.
The Smithsonian noted in a statement, “The Smithsonian strives to promote a larger and shared understanding. By presenting and contextualizing art, the Smithsonian aims to inspire, challenge and influence audiences in meaningful and thoughtful ways.” They mentioned their inability to find common ground with Sherald but expressed gratitude for her contributions.
In the last few months, the museum has faced scrutiny, particularly from the Trump administration, which issued an executive order in March aiming to steer the institution away from perceived “indoctrination of ideology.”
