Residents of Washington, D.C., will have the opportunity to experience the “Amy Sherald: American Sublime” exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian Institution, from September 19, 2025, to February 22, 2026. This exhibition marks the first major survey of Sherald’s work, widely recognized for her portrait of former First Lady Michelle Obama.
Featuring over 40 paintings, the exhibition will present both iconic pieces and new works, showcasing Sherald’s distinctive artistic process. Known for her vibrant portrayal of Black individuals, Sherald photographs people she encounters and transforms these images into imaginative figure paintings. This approach goes beyond traditional portraiture, aiming to highlight the experiences and humanity of Black Americans.
Organized by the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA) and curated by Sarah Roberts, this exhibition emphasizes the historical significance of Black representation in contemporary art. It includes a poignant tribute to Breonna Taylor, illustrating Sherald’s commitment to social justice through her art.
For those eager to see Sherald’s work sooner, the exhibition will be available at SFMOMA from November 16, 2024, to March 9, 2025.
General public tickets will go on sale on October 8, 2024, with member presales starting earlier on October 1. This presentation will be the most comprehensive showcase of Sherald’s work from 2007 to 2024, including new pieces and rarely seen early works.
The exhibition includes Sherald’s famous portraits of Michelle Obama and Breonna Taylor, along with newer works that explore complex narratives within Black identity and representation.
The exhibition will delve into issues such as public vs. private self, the vulnerability of Black youth, and self-affirmation. It will be organized into thematic galleries, including “Iconic America,” which explores American motifs and imagery, and “Precious Futures,” focusing on the portrayal of Black children and youth. A special section will be dedicated to Sherald’s famous portrait of Michelle Obama, offering visitors a chance to see this historic work up close.
Sherald employs a unique technique of using gray tones for her subjects’ skin, encouraging viewers to focus on their interior lives rather than racial identity alone.
This presentation at the National Portrait Gallery is particularly noteworthy as it will be the first solo exhibition of a contemporary Black artist at this venue. It offers a vital platform for discussing the contributions of Black artists to American culture and challenges traditional narratives within portraiture.
