Amy Sherald : The World We Make

Monumental exhibition at Hauser and Wirth of new work by Amy Sherald.

These were big, bold, bright paintings of Black Americans some reappropriating art historical imagery. I loved how real they looked while still obviously being paintings. On Wikipedia her style is described as simplified realism which I love.  All of them set large figures with grisaille faces against a single bright background mainly in blue but I loved a lime green one.

One gallery had slightly smaller works including one referencing the famous photo of a couple missing in Times Square in VE Day but replacing them with two Black men kissing. 

The other gallery just had four big paintings but they were magnificent. I loved this pair of motorbike riders and a wonderful one of a man on a tractor referring back to 19th American rural painting.

Sherald is best known for painting the official portrait of Michelle Obama.

Closed 23 December 2022


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