Amy Sherald, the acclaimed artist known for her official portrait of Michelle Obama and her upcoming “American Sublime” exhibit at the Baltimore Museum of Art, will receive the Human Rights Campaign’s “Ally for Equality Award” at its sold-out National Dinner in Washington, D.C., on Saturday, September 13. The HRC, the nation’s largest LGBTQ+ civil rights organization, announced the honor in recognition of Sherald’s work amplifying the visibility and experiences of LGBTQ+ individuals through her art.
Central to the award is Sherald’s 2024 painting “Trans Forming Liberty,” which reimagines Black transgender artist Arewà Basit as the Statue of Liberty. According to the HRC, the work, along with Sherald’s outspoken advocacy, serves as “a bold demand for visibility and a call for inclusion in the American dream — especially at a time of enhanced political and social antagonism.” The award highlights Sherald’s commitment to using her platform to elevate marginalized communities within the LGBTQ+ spectrum, particularly Black transgender individuals.
Sherald, a former Baltimore resident, is currently preparing for the debut of her major traveling exhibition “American Sublime” at the Baltimore Museum of Art (BMA), which will showcase her distinctive figurative paintings that often center African American subjects in everyday yet monumental contexts. The exhibition is expected to draw significant attention to the BMA and further cement Sherald’s reputation as a leading contemporary artist.
The Human Rights Campaign’s National Dinner will convene over 2,000 members, leaders, and advocates at the Washington Hilton to raise funds and support LGBTQ+ equality nationwide. Sherald’s recognition comes at a time when LGBTQ+ rights remain under threat in various states, making her artistic and advocacy contributions particularly resonant.
For more details about the event and Sherald’s work, visit the full announcement at citybiz and explore the “American Sublime” exhibit information at the Baltimore Museum of Art’s website.
