In her artist statement, Amy Sherald explains that her cultural art explores how a "performing aspect of [her] identity was cultivated from the beginning of [her] schooling. [She] learned this was the key to [her] social acceptance and assimilation."
The act of performing culture in order to fit in can often be where someone's social and personal differences stand out the most as it is a constant exercise in clashing with an identity that doesn't quite fit right. Sherald expresses her knowledge of how identity is a formulated construction that she discovered through experiences in her early childhood as an African American female brought up in the deep south.
Her cultural art is a lively collection of vibrant portraits that use vivid colors and careful planning of costume to depict character.
Personality Performance Portraits
Amy Sherald Explores Identity Through Her Cultural Art Series
Trend Themes
-
Cultural Identity — Opportunity to disrupt traditional artistic expressions and explore diverse cultural identities through art.
-
Performing Culture — Potential for innovative approaches to understanding and representing the complexities of cultural assimilation and social acceptance.
-
Personal Differences — Space to explore and challenge societal norms and stigmas surrounding personal differences and individual identity.
Industry Implications
-
Art and Design — Disruptive innovation opportunities for artists and designers to create unconventional pieces that challenge conventional beliefs and elevate cultural expression.
-
Education and Psychology — Potential for disruptive innovation in educational and psychological sectors to develop new approaches and tools for understanding cultural identities and personal differences.
-
Fashion and Costume — Opportunity to redefine fashion and costume design by incorporating cultural elements and promoting inclusivity in personal expression.