An artist whose work once caught national attention is stepping away from a planned Smithsonian exhibition after concerns arose over possible changes to her display. Amy Sherald, best known for painting Michelle Obama’s official portrait in 2018, has withdrawn from the exhibit. According to The New York Times, Sherald made the decision after learning that one of her pieces, reportedly a depiction of the Statue of Liberty as a transgender woman, might be excluded in an effort to not upset President Donald Trump.
Artist withdraws over censorship concerns
Sherald is known for her bold, expressive portraits that explore themes of identity, representation and American symbolism. In a 2016 interview with the National Endowment for the Arts, Sherald described her early art journey as unconventional. Sherald’s work centers on representation and identity, aiming to depict people and stories often absent from traditional art history. She has said her portraits invite viewers to imagine life beyond common stereotypes shaped by race, class or environment.
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Her upcoming exhibition, “American Sublime”, at the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery, was set to mark a milestone, making her the first Black contemporary artist to hold a solo show at the museum. Sherald previously made history in 2018 as the first African American artist commissioned for an official portrait by the gallery.
“I entered into this collaboration in good faith, believing that the institution shared a commitment to presenting work that reflects the full, complex truth of American life,” according to a letter The New York Times reported Sherald sent to Lonnie G. Bunch III, secretary of the Smithsonian. “Unfortunately, it has become clear that the conditions no longer support the integrity of the work as conceived.’’
Sherald said she was told that staff at the National Portrait Gallery had expressed concerns about including her painting “Trans Forming Liberty,” which portrays a transgender woman in the pose of the Statue of Liberty.
“These concerns led to discussions about removing the work from the exhibition,” she said in a statement. “It’s clear that institutional fear shaped by a broader climate of political hostility toward trans lives played a role.”
A milestone exhibition that won’t happen
The Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery has not responded to Straight Arrow News’ request for comment or confirmation. However, it told The Times that it understands Sherald’s decision and is disappointed the public won’t get to experience her work.
“By presenting and contextualizing art, the Smithsonian aims to inspire, challenge and impact audiences in meaningful and thoughtful ways. Unfortunately, we could not come to an agreement with the artist. We remain appreciative and inspired by Ms. Sherald, her artwork and commitment to portraiture,” The statement said.
Sherald told The Times that the Smithsonian proposed replacing the painting with a video featuring people reacting to the artwork and discussing transgender issues. She opposed the idea, saying the format could open the door to commentary that included anti-trans perspectives.
The now-canceled show was scheduled to open Sept. 19, 2025, and run through Feb. 22, 2026. It would have showcased 50 paintings from 2007 to the present, including Sherald’s well-known 2018 portrait of Michelle Obama and her 2020 portrait of Breonna Taylor.
The exhibit is currently on view at the Whitney Museum of American Art through Aug. 10, 2025. It was organized by the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art.
Exhibit cancellation follows Trump’s directive
Sherald’s withdrawal comes as cultural institutions, including the Smithsonian, face renewed political scrutiny. In an executive order issued earlier this year, President Donald Trump criticized what he described as a “revisionist movement” in museums and historic sites, accusing them of promoting “divisive, race-centered ideology.”
The order specifically named the Smithsonian, calling for its exhibits to align more closely with what the administration described as “shared American values” and efforts to “restore… a more perfect Union.”
The executive order from the White House specifically cited a Smithsonian exhibit titled “The Shape of Power: Stories of Race and American Sculpture”, describing it as promoting “scientific racism” and advancing the idea of race as a human invention. The directive also ordered federal officials to change museum programming by limiting content they viewed as distorting U.S. history or undermining national pride.
Later, Trump publicly called for the firing of Kim Sajet, director of the National Portrait Gallery, labeling her “highly partisan” and a strong supporter of DEI on social media. Although the Smithsonian rejected the directive on June 9, Sajet resigned later after 12 years leading the museum.
