Amy Sherald is a renowned artist known for her captivating grayscale portraits of Black Americans, including the iconic depiction of former First Lady Michelle Obama. In a new film by Art21 titled “Singular Moments,” viewers are taken on a journey from Sherald’s studio to her childhood bedroom in Columbus, Georgia, offering a comprehensive look into her creative process.
The film delves into the intricacies of Sherald’s artistic practice, showcasing her meticulous approach to painting. From reference photos taped to a wall to paint squirted onto paper plates, the artist’s methodical process is captured as she works on her large-scale canvases. Sherald’s focus on capturing a single moment of beauty is highlighted in the film, emphasizing the importance of creating visually striking and emotionally resonant artworks.
Sherald’s subjects often include people she knows personally, with a particular emphasis on capturing their faces and eyes before moving on to the rest of their figures. The artist views figuration as the soul food of art making, offering comfort and a sense of familiarity to both the artist and the viewer. Her belief in the power of beautiful paintings to evoke emotion and connection shines through in her work.
The film also provides a glimpse into Sherald’s upcoming solo exhibition, “American Sublime,” at the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York. Featuring around 50 works spanning from 2007 to the present, the exhibition explores themes of identity and Americanness through the artist’s unique lens. Viewers are invited into Sherald’s parents’ home, filled with nostalgic memorabilia and personal artifacts, adding another layer of depth to the artist’s practice.
As viewers witness the creation of Sherald’s recent works, they are invited to contemplate what it means to be American in today’s society. Through her art, Sherald challenges traditional notions of representation and identity, offering a fresh perspective on contemporary portraiture. The film “Singular Moments” serves as a prelude to the artist’s upcoming exhibition, inviting audiences to engage with Sherald’s powerful and thought-provoking artworks.
To experience the full scope of Amy Sherald’s artistic vision, watch “Singular Moments” and explore her diverse body of work. From intimate portraits to grand explorations of American identity, Sherald’s art offers a profound reflection on the beauty and complexity of the human experience.
