Smithsonian Exhibition featuring Amy Sherald's work has been shifted to Baltimore Museum of Art due to its cancellation.
The Smithsonian Institution, one of the world's largest museum and research complexes, is currently undergoing a review by the White House. This review, which was proposed by the White House, aims to ensure that the institution's shows align more closely with "the greatness of our nation" and celebrate "American exceptionalism."
This review has had significant implications, as evidenced by the cancellation of the exhibition "American Sublime," originally planned for July. The exhibition, featuring over 50 works by artist Amy Sherald, would have marked the first solo presentation of its kind by a Black contemporary artist at the Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery.
Sherald, best known for her pensive pastel renderings of Black Americans imbued with melancholy and joy, underpinned by the political realities of American life, chose to cancel the Smithsonian iteration due to concerns about a potential video replacement that might include anti-trans views.
The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art originally organized "American Sublime" and it is currently on view at the Whitney Museum through August 10. The iteration set for the Smithsonian would have been one of the largest and most comprehensive presentations of Sherald's work to date.
Lonnie G. Bunch, head of the Smithsonian Institution in the USA, announced in a letter to his staff in March 2025 that he agreed to a review of the institution's content by its own team, following the White House's proposal for checks. However, Bunch emphasized the importance of maintaining the institution's independence.
In a bid to address the concerns, the Smithsonian reportedly offered to further contextualize Amy Sherald's work. This offer, however, did not seem to appease the White House, which subsequently released a list targeting specific artworks housed within the institution.
Despite receiving about two-thirds of its $1 billion annual budget from the federal government, the Smithsonian remains independent. Following weeks of speculation, the Smithsonian has assembled a team to review materials to be handed over to the White House.
Amy Sherald, who became a household name in 2018 due to her portrait of Michelle Obama, has spoken out about government censorship at the Smithsonian in an op-ed article last month. The Baltimore Museum of Art (BMA), where Sherald's exhibition "American Sublime" is scheduled to open in November, has previously acquired her work and she served on the museum's board. Sherald attended the Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA) and spent part of her career in Baltimore.
A lunch meeting between Bunch and President Donald Trump regarding the institution's response to the review was reported, but details of the meeting remain unclear. The review of the Smithsonian's exhibitions continues, with the outcome yet to be determined.
