Contemporary Portrait Painter & Visual Artist; Official Portraitist of Michelle Obama; Outwin Boochever Portrait Competition Winner

Baltimore, MD, USA
Live Event: $10,000 - $20,000 Virtual Event: Please Contact More Fee Info

Amy Sherald Biography

Amy Sherald is a contemporary painter recognized for her large-scale portraits of Black Americans, which have contributed to the evolution of portraiture in modern art. Working primarily as a portraitist, Sherald depicts African Americans in everyday settings, employing a style rooted in simplified realism and often using staged photographs as references. She is known for her use of grisaille to portray skin tones, a technique she describes as a way to challenge conventions about skin color and race. Through this approach, Sherald encourages viewers to engage with her subjects beyond racial identity, emphasizing individuality and universal narratives within her portrait paintings.

Sherald's career has been shaped by her commitment to art and personal resilience. During graduate school, she was diagnosed with idiopathic cardiomyopathy, a cardiac disease that led to heart failure and required a heart transplant. After a year of recovery, Sherald returned to her art practice. She became the first woman and the first African American to win the National Portrait Gallery's Outwin Boochever Portrait Competition with her painting "Miss Everything (Unsuppressed Deliverance)." Sherald has also received the Anonymous Was A Woman award and the Smithsonian Ingenuity Award.

A significant milestone in Sherald's career was her selection to paint the official portrait of former First Lady Michelle Obama, making her the first Black woman chosen for a presidential portrait commission. The unveiling of the portrait brought Sherald national recognition, with coverage in major newspapers and art publications. Her portrait of Breonna Taylor, along with the Michelle Obama portrait, has been cited as among the most recognizable and impactful paintings in recent American art.

"American Sublime," organized by San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, is Sherald's first major museum survey, featuring paintings from 2007 onward. The exhibition traveled to the Whitney Museum of American Art and the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery in Washington, D.C. Sherald is the first contemporary Black artist to have a solo exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery. The High Museum of Art in Atlanta hosted the final stop of the national tour for "Amy Sherald: American Sublime," the largest exhibition of her work to date. The exhibition is accompanied by a comprehensive monograph documenting Sherald's painting practice and influences.

Sherald's work addresses the omission of Black figures from the history of figure painting and explores themes of representation and identity in contemporary art. She describes her paintings as offering a resting place, presenting Black figures outside of contention or politicization. Sherald's body of work is recognized for its contribution to American culture and its role in expanding the narrative of American art.

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Speaker profile last updated by AAE Talent Team on 09/25/2026.

Amy Sherald Videos

Amy Sherald: American Sublime | Opening Night Speech

Amy Sherald: American Sublime | Opening Night Speech

Amy Sherald on opening night of 'Amy Sherald: American Sublime' at the Whitney Museum.

Amy Sherald on How She Made It | TIME

Amy Sherald on How She Made It | TIME

Artist Amy Sherald reflects on her journey from waitressing in her 30s to painting.

Amy Sherald: Singular Moments | Art21 "Extended Play"

Amy Sherald: Singular Moments | Art21 "Extended Play"

Amy Sherald: art21.org/amysherald Explore other Art21 films in the "Extended Play" series.

  • How do I book Amy Sherald to speak at my event?

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  • What are the speaker fees for Amy Sherald

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  • What topics does Amy Sherald speak about?

    Amy Sherald is a keynote speaker and industry expert whose speaking topics include Art & Design, Black Heritage, Black History Month, Empowerment, Influential Women, Personal Growth
  • Where does Amy Sherald travel from?

    Amy Sherald generally travels from Baltimore, MD, USA, but can be booked for private corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. For more details, please contact an AAE Booking agent.
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Amy Sherald is a keynote speaker and industry expert who speaks on a wide range of topics. The estimated speaking fee range to book Amy Sherald for your event is $10,000 - $20,000. Amy Sherald generally travels from Baltimore, MD, USA and can be booked for (private) corporate events, personal appearances, keynote speeches, or other performances. Similar motivational celebrity speakers are Damon Davis, Alexa Meade, Yoruba Richen, Kerry James Marshall and Donna Brazile. Contact All American Speakers for ratings, reviews, videos and information on scheduling Amy Sherald for an upcoming live or virtual event.

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