
“Trans Lady Liberty Painting by Amy Sherald Featured on New Yorker Cover”
Amy Sherald Cancels Smithsonian Show Over Censorship Concerns
In a striking move that reverberated across the art world, artist Amy Sherald recently withdrew her solo exhibition, “American Sublime,” from the National Portrait Gallery (NPG) of the Smithsonian Institution. This decision was prompted by concerns over potential censorship of her work, “Trans Forming Liberty,” a portrait featuring trans model Arewà Basit as the Statue of Liberty. The artwork, initially intended to be a part of the exhibition, became the center of controversy due to the possibility of its removal to avoid the attention of the Trump administration.
Sherald’s contention arose when Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie G. Bunch III suggested replacing the portrait with a video discussing transgender issues and public reactions to the piece. Sherald rejected this idea, arguing that it undermined the value of trans visibility. The inability to reach an agreement led to the show’s cancellation.
Amidst this, “Trans Forming Liberty” found another prominent platform: gracing the cover of the August edition of the “New Yorker” magazine. Meanwhile, Lindsey Halligan, a special assistant to Trump, criticized the painting for interpreting a national symbol through what she described as a “divisive and ideological lens.”
Basit, the model for “Trans Forming Liberty,” expressed a sense of honor in being Sherald’s muse, emphasizing the empowering nature of the portrait amidst challenging social dynamics.
The cancellation of Sherald’s show comes during a period of heightened scrutiny over Trump’s influence on Smithsonian exhibitions, with significant concerns about the integrity and independence of cultural institutions.
This incident underscores the ongoing debate around art, censorship, and the complexities of representation in a polarized political landscape.