Amy Sherald Will Not Allow Her Work To Be Censored

By: Alexis Shoats 

Image Source: Amy Sherald's Instagram Page. Art Piece, "Trans Forming Liberty"

The New York Times reported that Amy Sherald decided to pull her latest exhibition, "American Sublime", from her upcoming show at the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Museum. First introduced at the San Francisco Museum, and currently on show at the Whitney Museum. The artist cited concerns that the National Portrait Museum might decide to pull a piece of art, titled "Trans Forming Liberty."

Instead of a painting of the Statue of Liberty, Sherald plays with the idea of liberty and who reaps its benefits and freedom. Although the Smithsonian has come under intense scrutiny from the Trump administration, it seems contradictory for the institution to take issue with this piece when many pieces in the collection juxtapose the idea of who can be American with the concepts of liberty, freedom, and rights. Sherald stated, “I entered into this collaboration in good faith, believing that the institution shared a commitment to presenting work that reflects the full, complex truth of American life." She goes on to comment on the role of the Trump administration and the museum's lack of authority against the administration. "It’s clear that institutional fear, shaped by a broader climate of political hostility toward trans lives, played a role.” 

A few examples of the attacks the Trump administration has taken against the Trans community include a slew of executive orders that restrict gender affirming care, restrict transgender girls and women from sports, and ban transgender people from serving openly in the military.  In regard to the Smithsonian, earlier this year, President Donald Trump attempted to fire the Director Kim Sajet; however, Sajet resigned before Trump had the opportunity to do so. President Trump claimed that Sajet was partisan and a supporter of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion policies. Since this moment, there has been debate surrounding partisan politics and the institution that has historically been separate and independent from the federal government. Just a few days ago, Chief Justice Roberts, the institution's chancellor, met with other members on the board to discuss processes and procedures as a result of Trump's attempt to fire Sajet. As of right now, the institution has voted for a resolution that reinforced the Smithsonian's sole power to fire the museum's Director. Chief Justice Roberts walks a thin line, as the lead conservative Justice, after all the court has given President Trump some of his greatest wins. The course he and others on the board take to handle President Trump will not only set a precedent moving forward for the museum, but it will also play a role in the evolving landscape of censorship in America.