Amy Sherald has canceled her upcoming exhibition, American Sublime, at the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery due to concerns raised about a painting titled "Trans Forming Liberty." This artwork shows a trans woman dressed as the Statue of Liberty. Sherald alleged that the gallery officials considered removing the painting to avoid political divisiveness. She emphasized the importance of visibility for marginalized communities and refused to tolerate censorship targeting vulnerable individuals. Sherald stated that silence regarding the challenges faced by the trans community is unacceptable and denounced institutional fears related to political hostility toward trans lives.
"While no single person is to blame, it's clear that institutional fear shaped by a broader climate of political hostility toward trans lives played a role. This painting exists to hold space for someone whose humanity has been politicised and disregarded."
"I could not in good conscience permit my exhibition to continue, as I refuse to comply with a culture of censorship, especially when it targets vulnerable communities."
"Silence is not an option at a time when the trans community is being legislated against, silenced, and endangered in the US. I stand by my sisters."
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