The world of visual arts is very diverse, whether it be in terms of mediums or artists. In fact there are thousands of artists that also identify as people of color. One artist that is very prominent and influential in the African-American community is Amy Sherald. Amy Sherald is an African-American painter whose work is very realistic, full of vibrant colors and extremely intricate. Sherald’s work has appeared in the Birmingham museum of art and in the contemporary art museum of St. Louis to say the least. She showcases most of her artwork on her website (amysherald.com). Sherald’s paintings are inspiring due to her not-so subtle approach of ‘blackness’ and her implementation of hyperrealism/photorealism into modern and contemporary pieces. Sherald was born in Columbus, Georgia, USA on August 30th 1973. Her work stems from her childhood inexperience of people of color, since she attended many predominantly white private schools. Amy Sherald’s most popular piece is an oil painting currently kept at the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery in Washington, D.C titled: First Lady Michelle Obama, 2018. Sherald portrays Obama with grey skin, wearing a dress from Michelle Smith’s Spring 2017 Milly Collection. The dress and its assortment of shapes and colors is a representation of equality in society according to its designer, Michelle Smith. Amy Sherald uses a variety of the elements and principles of art in this painting such as simulated texture, both a monochromatic, warm color scheme, and a slight blue gradient, organic forms and geometric shapes. The painting was globally recognized after a photo of a mesmerized African American toddler stood in front of the piece. The photo later went viral in late 2018. Obama herself took photos with the young girl and her mother. One can recognize Amy’s work from her iconic dark grey skin tones and brightly colored backgrounds. The faces of her subjects in her paintings are typically stern and their clothing tends to be colorful. In conclusion, Amy Sherald is very talented and influential to the black community, especially to many black artist. Her pieces utilize many if all the elements and principles of art. Sherald explores different mediums, movements and styles in her art and she uses he work to relate to her audience. “I want all types of people to look at my work and see themselves, just like I watch a Reese Witherspoon movie as a black woman and can empathize with her.” (Amy Sherald, 2018)
Work(s) cited : High Museum of Art. “What's Behind the Gray Skin Tones and Arresting Eyes in Amy Sherald's Portraits?” Medium.com, Medium, 11 Apr. 2018 Vales, Leinz. “Michelle Obama Asked to Meet Little Girl Mesmerized by Her Portrait.” CNN.com, Cable News Network, 7 Mar. 2018 Byrd, Rikki. “Amy Sherald on Her ‘Gentle Presentation of Black Identity’ and More.” Hyperallergic, Hyperallergic, 8 June 2018 Sargent, Antwaun. “The Obamas Agree: This Is a Golden Age for Black Painting In America.” W Magazine, W “Amy Sherald.” Time, Time, 12 Nov. 2018
Tesema, Martha. “Artists behind the Obamas' Portraits Also Have Some Pretty Incredible Instagram’s.” Mashable, Mashable, 13 Feb. 2018
Frank, Priscilla. “'Fairytale' Paintings Show A Side Of Black Lives History Overlooks.” HuffPost Canada, HuffPost Canada, 13 Oct. 2017