Visual artist Amy Sherald withdrew her solo show from the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery over concerns of “censorship” from the administration of President Donald Trump.
Per the New York Times, the artist best known for her 2018 portrait of former First Lady Michelle Obama withdrew her exhibition, “American Sublime,” after learning the museum considered removing an artwork to avoid retribution from the Trump administration. The artwork in question depicts the Statue of Liberty as transgender.
“I cannot in good conscience comply with a culture of censorship, especially when it targets vulnerable communities,” Sherald said in a statement. “At a time when transgender people are being legislated against, silenced, and endangered across our nation, silence is not an option.”
According to Sherald, the museum proposed adding a video of people discussing transgender issues and the painting. She opposed the idea because it would have “opened up for debate the value of trans visibility.”
In a letter sent to Smithsonian representatives earlier this week, Sherald said she’d hoped to represent “the full complex truth of American life.”
“Unfortunately, it has become clear that the conditions no longer support the integrity of the work as conceived,” she wrote.
The show was set to arrive at the museum in September. It would have been the first exhibition by a Black contemporary artist at the National Portrait Gallery. The Smithsonian said in a statement that it was “disappointed” at Sherald’s decision to withdraw.
“The Smithsonian strives to foster a greater and shared understanding,” the statement said. “By presenting and contextualizing art, the Smithsonian aims to inspire, challenge and impact audiences in meaningful and thoughtful ways. Unfortunately, we could not come to an agreement with the artist. We remain appreciative and inspired by Ms. Sherald, her artwork and commitment to portraiture.”
The Smithsonian receives about 62% of its funding from the federal government. President Trump signled out the institution in an executive order in March, claiming it had “come under the influence of a divisive, race-centered ideology.”
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