Artist Amy Sherald Cancels Smithsonian Exhibition Over Censorship Concerns
Amy Sherald, a renowned American artist known for her vibrant portraits of Black life and her official portrait of Michelle Obama, has made the decision to cancel a major exhibition at the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery. The cancellation stems from concerns over censorship related to one of her works, which features a depiction of the Statue of Liberty modeled after a transgender artist.
Sherald’s mid-career survey, titled “American Sublime,” was set to be displayed at the National Portrait Gallery in September. This exhibition has already traveled across the country, starting with its debut at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art before moving to the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York, where it is currently on view. At the Whitney, the artist Arewà Basit, who inspired the painting “Trans Forming Liberty,” was present at the opening party and took photos with Sherald in front of the monumental artwork.
In a statement, Sherald expressed that she was informed by the National Portrait Gallery about internal concerns regarding the painting. These concerns led to discussions about removing the work from the exhibition. While no single person is to blame, Sherald emphasized that institutional fear, shaped by a broader climate of political hostility toward trans lives, played a role in the decision.
A spokesperson from the Smithsonian mentioned that the museum had proposed including a video to contextualize the painting. However, Sherald ultimately decided to withdraw the show entirely. According to a report by the New York Times, the artist stated that the video would replace the painting and included anti-trans views. She opposed the inclusion of such content in the “American Sublime” narrative.
The Impact of Political Climate on Artistic Expression
The cancellation of Sherald’s exhibition is part of a larger trend of pressure and interference from the Trump administration on cultural institutions. The Smithsonian Institution, established by an act of Congress in 1846, has faced new ideological directives from the Trump administration, which has systematically rolled back trans rights over the past few months. This includes actions to suppress or reverse race and gender inclusivity in schools, museums, and the military.
In March, President Trump signed an executive order demanding changes to the content of the Smithsonian’s exhibitions and events. The order stated that the institution has “promoted narratives that portray American and Western values as inherently harmful and oppressive.” Additionally, the order gave Vice President JD Vance the power to stop government funding of exhibits or programs that degrade shared American values, divide Americans based on race, or promote programs or ideologies inconsistent with Federal law and policy.
The National Portrait Gallery lost its director, Kim Sajet, in June when she resigned weeks after Trump’s declaration that he was firing her, despite the president’s apparent lack of legal authority to control the museum’s leadership moves.
The Significance of “Trans Forming Liberty”
“Trans Forming Liberty,” painted in 2024, is at the center of Sherald’s dispute with the National Portrait Gallery. The painting exists to hold space for someone whose humanity has been politicized and disregarded. Sherald emphasized that she cannot in good conscience comply with a culture of censorship, especially when it targets vulnerable communities.
At a time when transgender people are being legislated against, silenced, and endangered across the nation, Sherald believes that silence is not an option. Her decision to cancel the exhibition highlights the ongoing challenges faced by artists and cultural institutions in navigating political climates that threaten free expression and representation.
The Broader Implications for Cultural Institutions
Sherald’s cancellation is the latest crisis at the Smithsonian Institution as it responds to pressure and interference from the Trump administration. The organization has grappled with new ideological directives, which have affected the way exhibitions and events are curated. This situation raises important questions about the role of cultural institutions in promoting diversity, inclusion, and free speech.
The “American Sublime” exhibition was scheduled to run at the National Portrait Gallery through February 2026. It brings together Sherald’s portraits of the former First Lady Michelle Obama and Breonna Taylor, alongside her reimagined same-sex take on photographer Alfred Eisenstaedt’s famous VJ-Day Kiss, as part of some 50 scenes of American identity.
Conclusion
Amy Sherald’s decision to cancel her exhibition at the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery underscores the complex relationship between art, politics, and censorship. Her work, particularly “Trans Forming Liberty,” serves as a powerful statement on the importance of representing marginalized communities and resisting institutional pressures that seek to suppress their voices. As cultural institutions navigate these challenges, the need for open dialogue and support for artistic expression becomes increasingly vital.
