Amy Sherald is set to make history as the first Black contemporary artist to hold a solo exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery in Washington, D.C.
Known for her renowned and iconic portrait of Michelle Obama, Sherald is on course to achieving even greater heights in the artistry industry.
The exhibition, which will debut in the fall of 2025, will showcase more than 50 of Sherald’s works, including her 2020 portrait of Breonna Taylor, which was featured on the cover of ‘Vanity Fair’ and became a symbol of racial justice.
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Another of her iconic portraits included will be her widely celebrated 2018 portrait of former First Lady Michelle Obama.
Sherald is known for her signature style of painting Black skin in grayscale against vibrant and symbolic backgrounds, and most of her portraits focus on humanity, resilience, and the individuality of her subjects, offering a powerful exploration of Black life and challenges traditional representations in fine art.
One of the highlights of the exhibition is the inclusion of her portrait of Breonna Taylor, a work that anchored the National Museum of African American History and Culture’s exhibition “Reckoning: Protest. Defiance. Resilience.”
The piece further portrays her role as both an artist and a chronicler of contemporary black experiences, and the new feat she is set to attain is a testament of the loads of dedication invested into her work over the years.
Sherald first gained national attention with her portrait of Michelle Obama, which redefined the representation of black women in art. That intriguing and striking portrait not only showcased her talent, but also presented viewers with a broader perspective of the complexity and beauty of Black life.
In addition to her more recent works, the exhibition will feature Miss Everything (Unsuppressed Deliverance), a 2016 portrait that won Sherald the Outwin Boochever Portrait Competition, and also helped launch her career to new heights.
The collection of works will tell a story of identity, resilience, and the nuances of Black life, reflecting both on the past and the future.
Rhea L. Combs, director of curatorial affairs at the National Portrait Gallery, is organizing the exhibition, and Combs, who has played a key role in expanding the visibility of Sherald’s work, touched on just how big of moment this is for the artist and for her on a personal level.
“To be able to have a platform like a portrait competition that then turns into a commission that then helps someone become an internationally recognized artist is literally the chef’s kiss,” Combs told Washingtonian. “There’s no better feeling than that for a curator.”
For the National Portrait Gallery, Sherald’s exhibition represents a critical cultural milestone. As the first Black contemporary artist to hold a solo exhibition there, her presence now challenges the traditional narrative of who is deemed worthy of such a platform and also marks a shift toward more inclusive storytelling in the world of art.
Sherald’s work does more than capture her subjects. It goes on to reclaim space for Black narratives and celebrates Black beauty, individuality, and humanity, telling a story that resonates beyond world of art, touching on themes such as identity and social justice.
As her exhibition takes center stage at the National Portrait Gallery, Sherald’s groundbreaking career continues to break barriers, and her work is proof that art can be a powerful force for change.
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The exhibition is scheduled to run from September. 19, 2025, up until February 22, 2026.
