Amy Sherald’s ‘American Sublime’ exhibition at the Whitney Museum brings together a star-studded array of her most comprehensive paintings, showcasing her unique vision and skill as an artist.
A Celebration of Amy Sherald‘s American Sublime at the Whitney Museum
A full-blown army of art world elites descended on the museum for not one but two celebrations staged in honor of the figurative artist’s most comprehensive survey to date. The exhibition, titled ‘Amy Sherald: American Sublime,’ brings together close to fifty paintings spanning from 2007 to the present, including early works almost never exhibited publicly and a new painting created just for the show alongside her iconic portraits of First Lady Michelle Obama and Breonna Taylor.
Amy Sherald is a contemporary American portrait painter known for her large-scale, hyper-realistic works.
Born in 1973 in Columbus, Georgia, she rose to prominence with her portrait of former First Lady 'Michelle Obama' , which hangs in the National Gallery of Art's West Building.
Sherald's paintings often blend realism and abstraction, exploring themes of identity, community, and social justice.
A Star-Studded Celebration
The guest list was a veritable Who’s Who of the art world, media, fashion, and philanthropy. On Tuesday, a D.J. set the mood as invitees gathered on the fifth floor to admire the works in ‘American Sublime‘ before heading down to the museum’s lobby for a sit-down repast made all the more magical by Amy Sherald herself getting on the mic to share tidbits about her life and career. Notable faces included artists Rashid Johnson, Glenn Ligon, Chase Hall, Calida Rawles, Jordan Casteel, and Theaster Gates, among many others; choreographers Kyle Abraham and Bill T. Jones; TV host and producer Padma Lakshmi; stylist Law Roach; superstar museum director Thelma Golden; arts supporter and philanthropist Darren Walker, and a host of curators, patrons, and art enthusiasts.
The art world has long been dominated by a select group of elites, who have significant influence over the market and the art itself.
These individuals often come from wealthy families or have built their fortunes through successful business ventures.
They use their wealth to acquire rare and valuable artworks, which can drive up prices and create scarcity.
According to a report by Artnet, the top 1% of collectors own 35% of the world's most valuable art.
This concentration of wealth and power has raised concerns about access and equality in the art world.
A Night to Remember
The celebration continued on Wednesday at the opening party, which also began with a sneak peek at the exhibition—this time with a special bonus preview of ‘Marina Zurkow: Parting Worlds,’ ‘Mary Heilmann: Long Line,’ and ‘Collection View: Louise Nevelson,’ which also open next week. Unsurprisingly, there were a lot of the same faces in the second-night crowd (the only thing better than hobnobbing at the Whitney is doing it twice in one week), but plenty of novel notables, too. Among the artists were Marilyn Minter, Sharon Sprung, Bo Bartlett, Miles Greenberg, ‘Marina Zurkow,’ and many more; TV icon ‘Fran Drescher‘ was her usual ebullient self at the step-and-repeat; the 2024 Whitney Biennial curators Chrissie Iles and Meg Onli made the rounds; Cynthia Rowley was looking amazing; and producer Jordan Roth was killing it, as per usual. Even cooler? ‘Sherald’s models Arewà Basit,’ ‘Denzel Mitchell, Jr.,’ and ‘Candice Hoyes’ were spotted posing with their portraits.
The art world is filled with numerous events that showcase talent, creativity, and innovation.
The Venice Biennale, held every two years in Italy, is one of the most prestigious international art exhibitions.
The event features contemporary art from over 80 countries, attracting millions of visitors annually.
Another significant event is Art Basel, a premier international art fair held in Switzerland, featuring modern and contemporary art.
These events provide a platform for artists to showcase their work, connect with collectors, and gain global recognition.
The Artist’s Vision
Amy Sherald has carved out one hell of a niche for herself in contemporary American realism and figuration. Her most comprehensive survey to date, ‘American Sublime,’ brings together close to fifty paintings spanning from 2007 to the present, showcasing her unique vision and skill as an artist. With works that range from early pieces almost never exhibited publicly to new creations specifically made for the show, this exhibition is a testament to ‘Sherald’s’ talent and dedication to her craft.
A New Chapter
As the art world continues to evolve, it’s clear that Amy Sherald is at the forefront of contemporary American art. With ‘American Sublime,’ she solidifies her position as one of the most important artists working today. The exhibition is a must-see for anyone interested in contemporary art, and we can’t wait to see what the future holds for this talented artist.
