AMY SHERALD, “For love, and for country,” 2022 (oil on linen, 313 x 236.5 x 6.4 cm / 123 1/4 x 93 1/8 x 2 1/2 inches). | San Francisco Museum of Modern Art; © Amy Sherald; photo: Joseph Hyde, courtesy the artist and Hauser & Wirth
THE FIRST EVER MID-CAREER RETROSPECTIVE of Amy Sherald (b. 1973) will be unveiled at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA) in November. Sherald is renowned for her poignant and captivating portraits, often depicting everyday individuals. She is recognized for using grayscale tones to portray her subjects’ skin and meticulously detailing their attire. Sherald gained widespread acclaim six years ago for her portrait of First Lady Michelle Obama, commissioned by the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery.
“Amy Sherald: American Sublime” will showcase over 50 paintings dating from 2007 to the present, making it her most extensive exhibition to date. The collection will feature early, rarely seen works alongside new portraits specifically created for the exhibit, revealed to the public for the first time.
Highlight pieces will include Sherald’s most iconic paintings: The portrait of Mrs. Obama, which has traveled across the country alongside Kehinde Wiley’s portrait of President Barack Obama; a tribute to Breonna Taylor, an ER technician who tragically lost her life to police violence at the onset of the pandemic; and “For love, and for country” (2022).
The latter reimagines Alfred Eisenstaedt’s renowned 1945 photograph capturing a U.S. Navy sailor kissing a woman in Times Square on “V-J Day,” signaling the end of World War II. Sherald’s contemporary rendition replaces the white heterosexual couple with two Black men, making a bold statement about love, evolving societal norms, queer rights, social freedom, and safety in public spaces. The monumental painting, standing over 10 feet tall, was recently added to SFMOMA’s collection.
The exhibit is a collaborative effort with the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York, where it is set to travel in April 2025.
“Through capturing Black men, women, and children in a relaxed setting with minimal contextual markers beyond their clothing, Sherald has introduced a distinctive form of figurative art. Her approach transcends traditional portraiture, fostering new perspectives on perceiving, experiencing, and appreciating our shared humanity,” stated Sarah Roberts, SFMOMA’s curator and head of Painting and Sculpture.
“In the vein of esteemed American artists like Edward Hopper, Alice Neel, and Kerry James Marshall, Sherald’s works challenge our perceptions of American society. Her paintings encourage viewers to move beyond preconceived notions and engage in broader dialogues on race, representation, and the multifaceted complexity and potential of every individual,” Roberts continued.
“Through capturing Black men, women, and children in a relaxed setting with minimal contextual markers beyond their clothing, Sherald has introduced a distinctive form of figurative art. Her approach transcends traditional portraiture, fostering new perspectives on perceiving, experiencing, and appreciating our shared humanity.” — SFMOMA Curator Sarah Roberts
Sherald’s career trajectory was altered when her piece “Miss Everything (Unsuppressed Deliverance)” (2014) won the National Portrait Gallery’s Outwin Boochever Portrait Competition in 2016. This achievement marked her as the first woman and first African American to claim the competition’s top honor. The recognition she received was a pivotal moment in her artistic journey.
Amy Sherald’s remarkable artistic talent was acknowledged by former President Barack Obama, who considered her for her official portrait. She was also honored with the David C. Driskell Prize in 2018 by the High Museum of Art in Atlanta, recognizing her significant contributions to African American art.
Sherald’s first institutional exhibitions more than a decade ago were held at Black museums. Her exhibitions such as “The Magical Real-ism of Amy Sherald” in 2011 and “Amy Sherald: Paintings” in 2013 were displayed at prestigious venues like The Robert and Sallie Brown Gallery, The Sonja Haynes Stone Center for Black Culture and History, and the Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History and Culture. Her first major solo museum exhibition, “Amy Sherald,” showcased seven paintings and was organized by the Contemporary Art Museum St. Louis in 2018, traveling to other museums through 2019.
Represented by Hauser & Wirth, a renowned gallery in the art world, Sherald debuted “For love, and for country” in her first international exhibition. Her exhibition titled “Amy Sherald: The World We Make” was displayed at the gallery’s London location in 2022, followed by Monaco in 2023.
SFMOMA Director Christopher Bedford praised Sherald as one of the most impactful artists today, highlighting her ability to encourage close observation, curiosity, and awe in viewers. He expressed excitement about presenting Sherald’s mid-career survey at SFMOMA, aligning with the museum’s mission to broaden the scope of art history.
Amy Sherald’s exhibition, “Amy Sherald: American Sublime,” is currently showcased at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art until March 9, 2025, before traveling to the Whitney Museum of American Art from April 9 to August 3, 2025.
Moreover, a new exhibition catalog will accompany the “Amy Sherald: American Sublime” exhibition, featuring contributions from notable figures in the art world. The catalog serves as the first comprehensive monograph of the artist, incorporating various perspectives on Sherald’s work.
Additionally, readers can explore further information about Amy Sherald on Instagram.
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