Art Market Monitor

Global Coverage ~ Unique Analysis

  • AMMpro
  • AMM Fantasy Collecting Game
  • Podcast
  • Contact Us

Michelle Obama’s Portrait Artist Sits for a Profile

October 24, 2017 by Marion Maneker

“A clear unspoken granted magic,” 2017,
by Amy Sherald. Credit Courtesy of the Artist and Monique Meloche Gallery

The choice of Kehinde Wiley to paint President Obama’s portrait has set off some complaints among a number of art world participants who cite Mr. Wiley’s use of a studio in China to produce much of his work.

But Michelle Obama’s choice of Amy Sherald has met with a glowing profile by Robin Pogrebin in the New York Times:

The selection of Ms. Sherald, who typically depicts African-Americans doing everyday things — two women in bathing suits, a man holding a child — has historical significance. “It’s as if she’s saying, ‘Let’s be clear: the President and I are African Americans and proudly so,” Mr. Staiti said, “and these portraits are going to have an African-American vibe — they’re going to break out of that rather staid tradition. I think it’s important and I think it’s political,” he added, referring to Mrs. Obama’s choice.

After a Late Start, an Artist’s Big Break: Michelle Obama’s Official Portrait  (The New York Times)

More from Art Market Monitor

  • Maya Lin, Pack RatMaya Lin, Pack Rat
  • Beautiful BufferBeautiful Buffer
  • That Doig Turns Out to be a DoigeThat Doig Turns Out to be a Doige
  • Odds on ArtistsOdds on Artists
  • Animal Spirits Still Pervade the Art MarketAnimal Spirits Still Pervade the Art Market
  • Sotheby’s Disputed Pre-Columbian Sale Still Sets RecordSotheby’s Disputed Pre-Columbian Sale Still Sets Record

Filed Under: Artists, General

About Marion Maneker

Want to get Art Market Monitor‘s posts sent to you in our email? Sign up below by clicking on the Subscribe button.

Top Posts

  • Keith Haring’s 1989 Retrospect Comes to Sotheby’s London Prints Sale
  • Four of Picasso's Women Valued at $28m Come to Christie's from Rose-Walters Collection
  • British Modernists Draw Deep Bidding in Christie's $42 M. London Sales
  • Norman Rockwell's Not Gay. But Is He a Great Artist?
  • How to Chant Like an Auctioneer
  • Tony Podesta's Secret Art Buying
  • $10 M. Picasso Portrait Unseen for Decades to Sell at Bonhams
  • Collection of Texas Heiress Anne Marion Expected to Fetch $150 M. at Sotheby’s
  • Vienna Secession Painting, Long Thought to Be Lost, Sets a Record at Auction
  • Phillips to Showcase Helen Frankenthaler at Southampton Outpost
  • About Us/ Contact
  • Podcast
  • AMMpro
  • Newsletter
  • FAQ

twitterfacebooksoundcloud
Privacy Policy
Terms & Conditions
California Privacy Rights
Do Not Sell My Personal Information
Advertise on Art Market Monitor