American Sublime

Amy Sherald's acclaimed exhibit lands at the High Museum of Art; plus, gardenias, good days, and a few things I'm enjoying.

Last July, artist Amy Sherald withdrew an exhibit of her work from the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery after learning that the museum was thinking about pulling her painting "Trans Forming Liberty" from the show for political reasons. The work, featured above, depicts a transgender woman holding a torch of flowers and posing similar to The Statue of Liberty. Worried about the political reaction to this piece, the museum proposed installing a video of people's reaction to it instead. This, the artist believed, would have opened up a debate about whether trans lives not only mattered, but deserved this sort of visibility. For her, this was not a subject that was up for debate, and rightly so.

“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,” Sherald wrote to Lonnie G. Bunch III, the secretary of the Smithsonian, which runs the Portrait Gallery. “Unfortunately, it has become clear that the conditions no longer support the integrity of the work as conceived.’’

After Sherald withdrew her works, the White House released a statement that said in part: "The Statue of Liberty is not an abstract canvas for political expression — it is a revered and solemn symbol of freedom, inspiration, and national unity that defines the American spirit."

Let's think for a second about the words inscribed on the pedestal of that solemn symbol: "Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free." If you think of American history, those tired, poor, and huddled didn't all look a certain way, or love a certain way, or believe a certain way. This is the place where they came – or were brought – in hopes of eventually achieving the freedom and opportunity they didn't have before. The concepts of liberty and the American spirit don't have one face. As a matter of fact, I feel like the woman Sherald painted above embodies some of what this national experiment was supposed to be. This Liberty is standing tall, proud, and every bit her unashamed self. God knows what it took for her to get to this point, but I'm inspired by the heartache and bravery it must have entailed.

"Trans Forming" is one of several Sherald paintings now on display at the High Museum of Art, the last stop on a four-city tour that began in San Francisco. The show, called "American Sublime," includes rarely seen work and more iconic pieces such as her portraits of First Lady Michelle Obama, and of Breonna Taylor, the 26-year-old emergency medical technician who was shot and killed by Louisville police in 2020. I was so grateful to see the show on its first day with one of my favorite people, and to learn more about Sherald's inspiration and creative process.

"Some days [making art] does feel frivolous," Sherald said before the exhibit opened. "But then we realize it's the most important thing we can do."

"American Sublime" is beautiful, evocative, and so representative of a national story that certain forces are trying to erase. If you are in the Atlanta area or intend to be soon, please do yourself a favor and see this extraordinary collection of work, which will be here until September 27. Plan ahead though. Timed tickets are required for entry, and weekend dates are sure to sell out. I'm probably going to check it out a few more times before it goes. That's how much I loved it.

I think you'll love it too.

Any grand plans for the weekend? Hit reply and let me know. Whatever you do, and wherever you're doing it, I hope you have a wonderful and restful long weekend.

Paige

Writing prompt: Merriam Webster defines sublime as "tending to inspire awe usually because of elevated quality or transcendent excellence." Write about a sublime moment in your life and describe what made it so.

Prejudice is based on ignorance. And the best way to counterbalance it is with a living example, with reality.

-- Barney Frank

Endnotes

What Does a Good Day Look Like for You?

Here we are near the end of May and it feels like a good time to point out that it's Mental Health Awareness Month. This year's theme is "More Good Days, Together" and I'm wondering what a good day looks like for you. For me, I know there's no such thing as a fabulously perfect day from start to finish, but I do try to take a minute to acknowledge the good things, big or small. The Amy Sherald exhibit made one of my recent lists. But sometimes a nice day for me involves things like not committing murder, stopping to smell the gardenias in my backyard, or sipping a rich cup of hot cocoa. What about you? Hit reply and let me know.

Things I'm Enjoying

Arsenal F.C. winning the Premier League title for the first time in 22 years. Calling one of my Senators and hearing his staffer say, "Let's see, Ms. Bowers, we know you're in our system..." (5calls.org exists for a reason, people). Intimate Audrey, the loving tribute Sean Ferrer co-wrote about his mother, Audrey Hepburn. Tiffany Morgan's essay about living your summer offline and unobserved.