Amy Sherald
Amy Sherald (1973 - present)
Born on August 30, 1973, in Columbus, GA
Earned a BA from Clark Atlanta University in 1997, and an MFA from Maryland Institute of Art in 2004
At the age of 30 was diagnosed with heart failure and had a heart transplant in 2012
Is known for using gray tones to represent skin color in her portraits of African Americans
CBS News Sunday Morning featured a story about Sherald in 2018. A year later, CBS News followed up with her to speak about a gallery opening of her portraits of everyday people. You can watch the full unveiling of the portraits here, or a two minute clip here. The Obama portraits are on tour at the MFA through October 30, 2022 - you can see them up close and personal!
What do you notice? ✏️ What do you wonder? ✏️ What do you like or dislike?
In April 2018, I visited the portrait of First Lady Michelle Obama at the National Portrait Gallery in Washington, DC.