Amy Sherald Cancels Smithsonian Exhibition Over Censorship Concerns

Renowned artist Amy Sherald, best known for her official portrait of Michelle Obama, has withdrawn her highly anticipated solo exhibition "American Sublime" from the Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery, citing concerns over institutional censorship. The artist made the decision after learning that the museum was considering removing her painting "Trans Forming Liberty" (2024), which depicts a Black transgender woman in the pose of the Statue of Liberty, reportedly to avoid provoking the Trump administration. The exhibition, which would have been the first solo show by a Black contemporary artist at the National Portrait Gallery, was scheduled to open in September.

Sherald stated that Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie G. Bunch III had proposed replacing the controversial painting with a video featuring public reactions and discussions about transgender issues, but she rejected this alternative because it would have included anti-trans viewpoints. "The video would have opened up for debate the value of trans visibility and I was opposed to that being a part of the American Sublime narrative," Sherald explained. This cancellation comes amid broader tensions between the Trump administration and the Smithsonian, following a March executive order directing the institution to eliminate "improper, divisive or anti-American ideology" from its museums and the resignation of National Portrait Gallery director Kim Sajet after Trump claimed to have fired her for supporting diversity initiatives. The exhibition, which features nearly 50 works including portraits of Michelle Obama and Breonna Taylor, continues its run at the Whitney Museum through August 10.