ART AFICIONADO: Amy Sherald

Sunday, August 30, 2026

Amy Sherald

Art Appreciation

American painter Amy Sherald was born on August 30, 1973, in Columbus, Georgia, and was raised in the nearby town of St. Marys. From an early age, she displayed an interest in art, though she initially planned to pursue a career outside the field. After seeing the power of painting firsthand during a museum visit, she changed direction and devoted herself to becoming an artist.

Sherald earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in painting from Clark Atlanta University before completing an M.F.A. in painting at the Maryland Institute College of Art. Her path was not without obstacles, including serious health challenges that culminated in a heart transplant in 2012, an experience that strengthened her commitment to her work.

Sherald has built an acclaimed career as a portraitist whose paintings center African Americans in quiet, everyday moments that have historically been underrepresented in Western art. Working primarily with oil paint, she is known for depicting her subjects with grayscale skin tones set against vibrant clothing and simplified backgrounds.

This distinctive approach shifts attention away from race as a biological marker and instead emphasizes individuality, dignity, and shared humanity. In 2016, Sherald gained national recognition when she became the first woman to win the prestigious Outwin Boochever Portrait Competition at the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery, a milestone that helped establish her as one of the leading contemporary portrait painters in the United States.

Sherald's best-known work is her official portrait of Michelle Obama, unveiled in 2018 for the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery. The portrait was celebrated for its modern interpretation of the former First Lady, presenting her in a striking geometric gown with Sherald's signature grayscale treatment.

She also painted the widely acclaimed portrait of Breonna Taylor in 2020, honoring Taylor's life with grace and humanity following her tragic death.

Other notable works include Miss Everything (Unsuppressed Deliverance), The Bathers, and For Love, and for Country, all of which reflect Sherald's ongoing exploration of identity, memory, and representation.