Georgia native Amy Sherald returns to her roots this week as the High Museum of Art opens “American Sublime,” the acclaimed and controversial retrospective she pulled from the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery over censorship concerns.
The exhibition, opening Friday, May 15, is the final stop on a national tour that drew sold-out crowds in New York and Baltimore and reignited national debate over censorship, representation, and transgender visibility.
Sherald, best known for her official portrait of former first lady Michelle Obama, grew up in Columbus, GA, and studied painting at Clark Atlanta University.
The High exhibition features more than 35 paintings created between 2007 and 2024, including portraits of Obama and Breonna Taylor, alongside lesser-known works exploring Black identity and everyday life.
In 20205, Sherald accused the Smithsonian of attempting to censor “Trans Forming Liberty,” a painting depicting a Black transgender woman as the Statue of Liberty, amid mounting political pressure from the Trump administration over LGBTQ+ representation in cultural institutions.
Smithsonian officials disputed that characterization, saying they sought additional context for the work rather than its removal.
Due to high demand, the High Museum said timed tickets are required. The exhibition will be on show through Sept. 27.
For more information and tickets, visit this link.
