Amy Sherald, an artist often labeled as “woke,” has garnered attention for her bold reinterpretations of iconic American imagery. Among her most provocative works is a portrayal of the Statue of Liberty, envisioning her as a Black and transgender figure.
Additionally, Sherald reimagined the iconic kiss in Times Square from World War II, featuring two gay Black men, further establishing her reputation as a groundbreaking creator. Her acclaim soared when she painted the official portrait of former First Lady Michelle Obama, which was hailed as a significant achievement in contemporary art.
However, this artistic journey took a contentious turn when the National Portrait Gallery informed Sherald that her painting of the Transgender Lady Liberty might be removed from display due to concerns it could provoke backlash from the Trump administration.
In response, Sherald accused the Smithsonian Institution of censorship and chose to withdraw her work from the exhibit. âWhen I learned that a video would replace the painting, I decided to cancel,â she stated. âThe video would have sparked debate over the importance of trans visibility, and I opposed that being integrated into the narrative of the âAmerican Sublime.ââ
Related: The Woke Isnât Going Away: College World Series Bans Athleteâs Christian Music
The White House, in a statement to The New York Times, viewed this development as a step toward restoring âsanityâ in taxpayer-funded art initiatives. Officials described the painting as a desecration of one of Americaâs most cherished symbols.
âThe âTrans Forming Libertyâ painting, which attempted to reinterpret our nation’s sacred emblem through a divisive ideological lens, strayed from the mission and spirit of our national museums,â remarked Lindsey Halligan, a special assistant to the president. âThe Statue of Liberty transcends political expression; it embodies freedom, inspiration, and national unity â the essence of the American spirit.â
Ironically, the only entity truly censoring Sheraldâs exhibit appears to be Sherald herself. The notion that Lady Liberty, a symbol meant to inspire unity, would be co-opted for discussions about identity politics raises questions about the broader implications of artistic expression in a politically charged environment.
Read Next: Woke on Stilts: Professor Claims Being a Taylor Swift Fan is Racist
Syndicated with permission from ToddStarnes.com â founded by best-selling author and journalist Todd Starnes. Starnes is the recipient of an RTNDA Edward R. Murrow Award and the Associated Press Mark Twain Award for Storytelling.
