Sherald created this piece as a direct response to rising legislation and threats against transgender people in the U.S..
It reclaims the Statue of Liberty as a symbol of inclusivity and freedom, applying the poem "The New Colossus" ("Give me your tired, your poor...") to the trans community. amy tranny galleries
Based on recent art world news, a significant and useful piece highlighting transgender representation is by celebrated painter Amy Sherald . Sherald created this piece as a direct response
For a personal perspective on the trans experience, you can read insights from writer and academic Amy J. Ko, who discusses "trans hurdles" and the concept of "trans-feminine disasters" in her Medium column . For a personal perspective on the trans experience,
Sherald recently withdrew a major exhibition from the Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery in 2025 citing censorship concerns regarding this specific, political work.
The painting was featured on the cover of The New Yorker in August 2025 and depicts a non-binary, trans-femme person as a modern Statue of Liberty.
Fifty trans hurdles. Examining my lost privilege. | by Amy J. Ko