Amy Sherald Cancels Her Smithsonian Show, Citing Censorship

[demmiblue]

Source: NYT

Amy Sherald — the artist who rocketed to fame with her 2018 portrait of Michelle Obama — has withdrawn her upcoming solo show from the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery because she said she had been told the museum was considering removing her painting depicting a transgender Statue of Liberty to avoid provoking President Trump.

“American Sublime,” set to arrive at the museum in September, is a much heralded exhibition of works by Ms. Sherald and would have been the first by a Black contemporary artist at the Portrait Gallery. She is particularly known for her sensitive, serene portraits, which led to her selection by Ms. Obama. Some of her work, such as her transgender Statue of Liberty, has also been fueled by social concerns.

“I entered into this collaboration in good faith, believing that the institution shared a commitment to presenting work that reflects the full, complex truth of American life,” the artist said in a letter sent on Wednesday to Lonnie G. Bunch III, the secretary of the Smithsonian, which runs the Portrait Gallery. “Unfortunately, it has become clear that the conditions no longer support the integrity of the work as conceived.’’

Ms. Sherald in a statement said she had been “informed that internal concerns had been raised” at the Portrait Gallery regarding the inclusion of her painting, “Trans Forming Liberty,” which features a transgender woman holding a torch in the posture of the Statue of Liberty.

Read more: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/24/arts/design/amy-sherald-smithsonian-censorship.html?unlocked_article_code=1.Y08.Wq7P.vQrr0WNRL1br&smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare

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Amy Sherald says the Smithsonian suggested removing a painting of a transgender woman as the Statue of Liberty from her upcoming show at the National Portrait Gallery “to avoid provoking President Trump.” Sherald: “I cannot in good conscience comply with a culture of censorship”

— Nicole Chung (@nicolechung.bsky.social) 2025-07-24T17:06:34.124Z

[JustAnotherGen]

1. Of course they did

The maga Repubs and Dominant Culture want to erase us entirely.

[Solly Mack]

2. They fear Trump but don't seem to mind losing credibility.

Because we are supposed to understand they sold out because of fear?

I don't think so.

[NYFlip]

3. Saw her Statue of Liberty painting

She was exhibiting her paintings at the Whitney in New York. The Statue of Liberty painting was amazing. All of her paintings were wonderful. I feel so honored to see her work.

[ProudMNDemocrat]

7. When going to college in NJ, Art Major, went to the Whitney a few times.

The Transgender Statue of Liberty is an amazing piece.

Shame that TACO is being such a pussy about interpretations and artistic license.

[niyad]

16. "pussy"???? sighhhhhhh

[iluvtennis]

4. I applaud her stance.

[Scalded Nun]

5. Maybe they can ask trump to write them some doodles for display

[TomSlick]

6. Good for her!

She made the costly principled decision.

[Orrex]

8. They should run a South Park exhibition instead

[wendyb-NC]

9. That's the spirit, good for her.

[Bluestocking]

10. DCs loss

She will just select a prestigious museum in a different city. I am sure her agent is getting lots a requests.

[CTyankee]

13. Hey, maybe the Yale Art Gallery needs her, here in New Haven!

[Bluestocking]

14. I am hoping for Boston

[CTyankee]

15. Or Boston. I have family living there.

We don't discuss the Yale-Harvard game every fall at our Thanksgiving dinner. Things got a little steamy over the The Game which is always on the Saturday before Thanksgiving. We go to The Game when it is held at the Yale Bowl in New Haven.

[littlemissmartypants]

11. Good Trouble. ❤️

[truthisfreedom]

12. We certainly can't have the president being provoked. No sir-ree.

His delicate sensibilities must be protected at all cost. Can’t have his coquettish nature being titillated by the possibility of arousal by suddenly experiencing a confusing gender bend! No no no! Gotta stay on the straight, narrow and underage.

[Figarosmom]

17. I wish it msde a difference.

This was probably a big deal for her too. It's too bad.