Black History Month: Amy Sherald
In my Black History Month blog post series, some of you have discovered new-to-you artists. But I’m pretty sure you’ve heard of this person. Let’s talk about:
If you don’t know Amy Sherald’s name, you almost certainly have seen her work: she painted First Lady Michelle Obama’s official portrait. The painting was so popular, when the National Portrait Gallery put it on display in 2018, the portrait had to be moved to a bigger room just to accommodate the crowds that came view it.
Before this happened, I found Sherald’s work on Instagram and DM’d with her a couple times. This gives me the irrational desire to yell “I knew about her first!” when other people gush over Sherald’s work.
Amy Sherald, “Freeing Herself Was One Thing, Taking Ownership of that Freed Self Was Another.” Photo creditf: Hauser & Wirth
I don’t have a favorite piece, but this one comes close. It references one of the most poignant lines in the novel Beloved, by Toni Morrison. (I profiled the literary giant earlier this month.) So many reasons to love Sherald’s work, but here are just a few:
She paints in the grisaille style specifically because she wants you to look at the person and see more than their skin color or a set of pre-conceived notions about Black people
Her subjects are quiet, but clearly Thinking About Things
I recognize some of the subjects from a Library of Congress photo collection I love
Sherald’s backstory is pretty impressive too: years working as a restaurant server, a four-year hiatus from art during which she cared for ill relatives, and surviving a heart transplant. But now she’s here and thriving. With massive style, I might add.
Check back in tomorrow for the next inspiring artist.
