“Amy Sherald’s Eye-Catching Portraits Featured at the Whitney Museum”

# **Amy Sherald: A Pioneer in American Portraiture**

Celebrated for her compelling portrayals of Black American experiences, **Amy Sherald** has emerged as one of the most prominent artists in modern portraiture. Most famously recognized for her official **portrait of Michelle Obama** and her impactful painting of **Breonna Taylor**, Sherald confronts conventional views of race and representation in the realm of art. In early 2025, her innovative work will be honored at the **Whitney Museum of American Art** during her first significant museum survey, *American Sublime*.

## **A Landmark Exhibition: American Sublime**
Launching on **April 9, 2025, at the Whitney Museum of American Art**, the exhibition *American Sublime* will feature approximately **50 paintings**, charting Sherald’s artistic journey from her earlier creations to the large-scale, emotionally impactful portraits that have become emblematic of her style. This retrospective will not only emphasize her technical expertise but will also delve into how her art reshapes Black identity within a genre where individuals of color have often been marginalized.

### **The Impact of Sherald’s Portraits**
What distinguishes **Amy Sherald** is her unique approach with **grayscale skin tones**, a method that intentionally detaches the subjects from traditional racial narratives. By rendering her figures in black-and-white while employing bold, vibrant colors for their attire and surroundings, she redirects the viewer’s attention from racial identity to the **uniqueness** and **inner experiences** of her subjects.

SFMOMA director **Christopher Bedford**, in his introduction to the catalog for *American Sublime*, notes:

> *“She challenges the notion of color-as-race by favoring grayscale for skin tones and crafts intricately depicted backgrounds that offer minimal contextual clues, urging viewers to concentrate on the inner lives of the individuals portrayed.”*

Sherald’s artworks are profoundly personal, frequently portraying ordinary individuals in striking stances that evoke feelings of **pride, resilience, and dignity**. Her portraits transcend superficiality, fostering **intimate encounters** between the subject and the observer.

## **Featured Works at the Exhibition**
Many of Sherald’s most renowned pieces will grace *American Sublime*. Among these:

– **”Michelle LaVaughn Robinson Obama” (2018)** – The official portrait of former First Lady Michelle Obama, currently held at the National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution.
– **”Breonna Taylor” (2020)** – A heartfelt homage to Breonna Taylor, commissioned by *Vanity Fair*, now featured in the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture.
– **”As Soft as She Is…” (2022)** – A thoughtful portrait showcasing her hallmark equilibrium between realism and abstraction.
– **”Planes, Rockets, and the Spaces in Between” (2018)** – A vivid and intricate representation of Black American life, part of the **Baltimore Museum of Art** collection.

Sherald’s works are not mere individual portraits; they serve as **social reflections** affirming the importance and presence of Black life in modern America.

## **Public Artwork to Enhance the Exhibition**
Supplementing the intrigue of the Whitney Museum’s retrospective, **Sherald has received a commission to create new pieces for a public installation**. These new portraits will be exhibited on the **front of a building directly across from the museum’s entry**, creating an immersive extension of her artistic vision into the streets of New York.

The installation, titled **”Amy Sherald: Four Ways of Being”**, is set to launch on **March 25, 2025**, and will comprise four new portraits reflecting themes of **historical, contemporary, and future** Black identity.

## **A Profound Influence on American Art**
Amy Sherald’s artistry symbolizes a **shift in perspective** in contemporary portraiture. By placing Black individuals and their lived experiences at the forefront with dignity and beauty, Sherald contests the **historical neglect of people of color in fine art**.

Exhibition curator **Sarah Roberts** underlines Sherald’s cultural importance, asserting:

> *”Amy Sherald’s paintings articulate the essence of the current American experience.”*

The fact that *American Sublime* will subsequently engage with the **National Portrait Gallery in Washington, D.C.**, solidifies Sherald’s influence in shaping the future of American art. At a moment when discussions surrounding **diversity, inclusion, and representation** in the art world are increasingly vital, Sherald’s work serves as both a **celebration** and a **clarion call**.

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## **Exhibition Information:**
📍 **Amy Sherald: American Sublime**
📅 **April 9, 2025 – August 10, 2025**
🏛 **Whitney Museum of American Art, New York**

For further details and ticket purchases, visit the **[Whitney Museum website](https://whitney.org**).