# Personality Performance Portraits Amy Sherald Explores Identity Through Her Cultural Art Series By Gil Cohen | Published 2013-05-05 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cultural-art References: [thejealouscurator](http://www.thejealouscurator.com/blog/2013/05/01/im-jealous-of-amy-sherald/) & [amysherald](http://www.amysherald.com/) 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](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/host-exhibition) 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](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/profiles-in-color) that use vivid colors and careful planning of costume to depict character. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 0.7/10 - Popularity: 8% | Activity: 5% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **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. ### Where This Applies - **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. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [AAPI-Honoring Art Exhibitions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/upon-further-reflection.md) - [Vibrantly Colorful Dynamic Artwork](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/kayla-rumpp.md) - [Boundary-Pushing Art Exhibitions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/briony-douglas-1.md) - [Human Duality-Themed Abstract Art](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/passive-aggression.md) - [Identity-Exploring Clothing](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/shapes-we-take.md) - [AAPI Heritage-Honoring Exhibitions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/crafting-selfhood.md) - [African Identity-Inspired Exhibitions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/african-identity.md) - [Accessible Limited-Edition Print Series](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/limitededition-print-series.md) - [Wooden Identity Art Forms](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hughmanity.md)