Art
It's OK to Feel Ambivalent About Michelle Obama's Official Portrait
Too often, women of color are expected to support black artists in the abstract — sometimes at the expense of meaningful, critical dialogue.
National Portrait Gallery
News
Obamas Open Up About Their Newly Unveiled Official Portraits
At the unveiling this morning, Michelle Obama spoke about her "instant connection" with Amy Sherald, while Barack Obama said he asked Kehinde Wiley "to bring it down just a touch.”
In Brief
Official Obama Portraits by Kehinde Wiley and Amy Sherald Were Just Unveiled
The long-awaited portraits were presented at a ceremony today at the Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery. The internet was quick to respond.
In Brief
Artists Kehinde Wiley and Amy Sherald Chosen to Paint Official Obama Portraits for the Smithsonian
Next year the portraits of the Obamas will enter the collection of the Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery and judging by the choice of artists they're sure to be impressive.
News
Winner of a BP Portrait Award Donates Share of Prize Money to Anti-BP Protests
The 26-year-old winner of this year's BP Young Artist Award donated £1,000 to fund Greenpeace's anti-BP efforts.
News
At BP-Sponsored Art Show, Protesters Call Out the Corporation’s Abuses
On Thursday evening at the National Portrait Gallery, protesters drew attention to BP's work with the Indonesian government, which has been accused of civil rights violations in West Papua.
News
BP Sponsorship Violates UK National Portrait Gallery's Ethics Policy, Report Claims
Culture Unstained is calling on the museum to cut ties with BP because of its connections to foreign regimes that violate human rights.
Art
A Conceptual Artist Pays Homage to Surrealist Claude Cahun’s Performance of Identity
A Gillian Wearing exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery puts her work in dialogue with her largely forgotten Surrealist inspiration.
Art
An Exhibition Offers a Visual Biography of Sylvia Plath, Including Her Little-Known Art
The Smithsonian's National Portrait Gallery is opening a visual biography of the author Sylvia Plath, including her rarely-seen artwork.
Art
In a Performance, a Soundscape Invokes the Brutality of Slavery
Sheldon Scott's performance is based on the experiences of enslaved Africans in rice production in the American South.
Opinion
Art Not Oil Coalition Issues Statement on BP’s Sponsorship of UK Cultural Institutions
We received the following statement from the Art Not Oil coalition regarding the new BP sponsorships of major cultural institutions in the UK.
News
Lucian Freud’s Unseen Self-Portrait and Sketchbooks Go on View
“Truth heads into naked people bodies bodies whole complete living naked women avoid facial expression make bodies expressive of feeling,” scribbled painter Lucian Freud in one of the sketchbooks now on display at London's National Portrait Gallery.