Artist Amy Sherald on what's behind her subjects' eyes in portraits
Summary
Amy Sherald is a well-known American painter recognized for her portraits of Black Americans. Her work gained widespread attention after she painted the official portrait of former First Lady Michelle Obama, and she often depicts her subjects looking directly at the viewer to create a meaningful connection.Key Facts
- Amy Sherald painted the official portrait of Michelle Obama.
- She has become one of America’s most celebrated painters, with several major museum exhibitions.
- Sherald canceled a Smithsonian exhibition due to concerns about censorship pressures during the Trump administration.
- Her portraits often show Black Americans looking directly at the viewer to create an exchange.
- Sherald finds her subjects through photographs, using people she encounters and thrift store clothing.
- One of her controversial portraits is of Breonna Taylor, a woman killed by police in a 2020 raid.
- Her style emphasizes presence and personal stories rather than traditional portrait naming or settings.
- Sherald had a show at the Whitney Museum of American Art, fulfilling a long-held dream.
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