Amy Sherald Cancels Major Smithsonian Show Over Censorship Concerns

Summary

• Acclaimed artist Amy Sherald withdraws her upcoming solo exhibition, American Sublime, from the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery after discussions surrounding her 2024 work of a transgender woman provoking President Trump.
• The artist cites the “culture of censorship” and the “broader climate of political hostility” as reasons behind her decision.

Amy Sherald, the creator of the well-known 2018 portrait of Michelle Obama, has decided to withdraw her upcoming solo exhibition, titled “American Sublime“, from the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery due to worries about potential censorship and political pressures that seem to be increasing as a result of the Trump administration’s expanding influence on the institution.

As a passionate admirer, I’d like to share an intriguing piece of news: In response to certain reports about internal deliberations, it appears that the museum has chosen to postpone the exhibition of “Trans Forming Liberty” (2024) due to concerns about potentially upsetting President Trump. This captivating painting portrays a transgender woman in a pose reminiscent of the Statue of Liberty, holding a torch aloft.

In a letter addressed to Lonnie G. Bunch III, the secretary of the Smithsonian, the artist expressed their initial optimism about the collaboration, as they entered into it with trust, assuming we both valued portraying the authentic and multifaceted reality of American life. Regrettably, it seems that the current circumstances are no longer conducive to preserving the original integrity of the work.

This week, Sherald suggested that Bunch wanted to swap “Trans Forming Liberty” (2024) with a video showing reactions from visitors and discussions about transgender topics. She firmly stated: “The video would have sparked a debate on the importance of trans visibility, which I was against including in the narrative of American Sublime.

Previously acclaimed at the Whitney Museum and SFMOMA, the exhibit American Sublime was scheduled to debut at the Smithsonian in September, which would have been the Portrait Gallery’s inaugural solo showcase for a contemporary Black artist. This exhibition highlights the beauty and depth of Black American life through Sherald’s captivating portraits, featuring her renowned works such as those depicting Michelle Obama and Breonna Taylor.

It’s obvious that an institutional fear, fueled by a wider atmosphere of political antagonism towards transgender individuals, has contributed to the situation. I won’t willingly participate in an environment that suppresses information, particularly when it affects vulnerable groups.

The decision to withdraw is made under increased political pressure from President Trump, who, in March, issued an executive order in response to what he perceived as the Smithsonian’s focus on gender and racial ideologies.

Sherald announced on her Instagram story on July 24 that American Sublime had been cancelled. During an interview with the Times, she emphasized, “In the face of transgender individuals being suppressed, legislated against, and put in danger across our country, remaining silent is not an option.

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2025-07-25 00:25