Amy Sherald: In the Studio

On the occasion of her first exhibition with the gallery, we visited Amy Sherald in her studio as she put finishing touches on eight new paintings, and through discussion, contextualized her work within the tradition of American portraiture. She is joined in the film by Erin Christovale, Associate Curator at the Hammer Museum, Antwaun Sargent, Writer & Critic, and Jessica Bell Brown, Independent Curator & Art Historian, who provided further insights on Sherald’s practice.

‘The paintings are a resting place for people to see a reflection of themselves that is not in resistance or contention. It’s just a black person being a person.’
—Amy Sherald

These paintings are created from carefully composed photographs of subjects Sherald finds in her everyday life. We take a deeper look at the artist’s process of transforming these images into paintings that become less about the subject, and more about the new archetype Sherald wants to create. ‘These people have let go of that idea of being watched,’ says Sherald. ‘They’re there to meet your gaze in a different way. And it’s a critique on historical black representation, whether it be in photography or painting.’

Sherald’s new paintings invite viewers to reconsider commonly accepted notions of race and representation. The New Yorker’s Peter Schjeldahl wrote, ‘she activates the double function of portraiture as the recognition of a worldly identity and, in the best instances, the surprise of an evident inner life. Race applies as a condition and a cause for resetting the mainstream of Western art.’
–
‘Amy Sherald. the heart of the matter…’ Is on view at Hauser & Wirth New York, 22nd Street through 26 October 2019.

[nangwinner]

Thank you for this thoughtful inspiration. I am moved to feel the presence of Amy's subjects. Everyday people are those who tell the stories that I want to hear.

[kristenparadiso]

I was so inspired by the unveiling of the Obama portraits last year that I created an art project for my beginning level high school art class, called Black Artists Matter. It focuses on the work of both Sherald and Kehinde. Last year I used a video of Amy accepting an award, which was good, in my PPT. As I was preparing to teach this lesson again I decided to search to see if anything new had come up and this video appeared. THANK YOU! This is a refreshing, intimate, and expressive video to add to my curriculum and enhance my students knowledge of Amy as a person and an artist! ~Kristen Paradiso, Art Teacher Alhambra High School, California

[linameeswanson]

Caught Sherald exhibit in LA. I was amazed of course at the size and how she gets dimensions so perfect. The subjects are not intimidating and the paintings look more like prints...no brush strokes and I think I read the medium were acrylics and oils...amazing artist!!!

[dmcdaniel]

Beautiful, beautiful, really beautiful, Amy !!

[teresaborelli]

I love Amy Sherald Art two words Talented ; Beautiful

[dogdrawer]

Moved to almost tears at times, this was so well done - the works look so great and the beauty grabs a hold of you and pulls you in - and there is the magical connection of a great artist. Thank you for making this and the works Amy and team.

[CarolineVisArt]

Just found this channel great to discover...

[lapwingperro]

I just came here after reading your name in an FB post of Hillary Clinton. Congratulations!

[thingy]

Just from a competence and skill point of view it is not good. Like if you compare it to say Thomas Eakins or a serious artist like that. Just not serious, high quality or even good work.