News Summary
Acclaimed painter Amy Sherald relocates her exhibition ‘American Sublime’ to the Baltimore Museum of Art following censorship concerns at the Smithsonian. The exhibition will run from November 2, 2025, to April 5, 2026, showcasing 40 of her paintings and featuring her notable work ‘Trans Forming Liberty’. The BMA plans to honor Sherald with an ‘Artist Who Inspires’ award during its gala, further solidifying her connection to Baltimore.
Baltimore
Acclaimed painter Amy Sherald has decided to relocate her exhibition “American Sublime” to the Baltimore Museum of Art (BMA) following concerns over censorship at the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery. The exhibition will be displayed from November 2, 2025, to April 5, 2026.
Sherald withdrew her exhibition from the Smithsonian in July due to worries over potential censorship regarding her work titled “Trans Forming Liberty,” which features a Black trans woman portrayed as the Statue of Liberty. This piece was at the center of her concerns, as it was believed the Smithsonian was hesitant to include it in its showcase due to the current political climate surrounding trans rights.
The BMA exhibition will present approximately 40 of Sherald’s paintings, created between 2007 and 2024, in what is considered a mid-career retrospective. Prior to its showing in Baltimore, “American Sublime” was successfully displayed at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art and the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York.
In recognition of her contributions to art and culture, the BMA plans to honor Sherald with an “Artist Who Inspires” award during its gala on November 22, 2025. BMA Director Asma Naeem emphasized that hosting Sherald’s work is not only a celebration of the creative community but also a homecoming for the artist, who has significant ties to Baltimore, having earned her MFA from the Maryland Institute College of Art and established her artistic career there.
Unlike the Smithsonian, which is subject to governmental pressures, the BMA is free from such censorship concerns, allowing for the complete presentation of Sherald’s work. The Smithsonian’s hesitance stemmed from broader issues of political hostility towards trans rights that became pronounced during the Trump administration. The institution clarified that their intent was to provide context for Sherald’s artwork rather than remove it entirely from the exhibition.
Since Sherald’s withdrawal from the Smithsonian, “Trans Forming Liberty” has received increased visibility, even featuring on the cover of The New Yorker, further broadening its recognition. Sherald’s body of work predominantly addresses the representation of African Americans and delves into themes of race, identity, and belonging.
Key highlights from the upcoming “American Sublime” exhibition will include notable pieces such as “Miss Everything (Unsuppressed Deliverance),” Sherald’s iconic portrait of Michelle Obama, the memorial portrait of Breonna Taylor, and, of course, “Trans Forming Liberty.”
Tickets for the exhibition will be available for purchase starting October 1 for BMA members and from October 8 for the general public. The BMA has indicated that various pricing options will be available to accommodate a diverse audience.
As the opening of “American Sublime” approaches, the BMA is committed to creating an inclusive space that showcases Sherald’s transformative work, capturing both profound humanity and the spirit of community inherent in her art.
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