[Asma Naeem] Hello, I’m Asma Naeem, Dorothy Wagner Wallis Director of the Baltimore Museum of Art. It’s a true joy to welcome you to the Museum and to this exhibition featuring an artist who stands as a powerful cultural force in our time. In this audio guide, you'll hear from Amy Sherald herself, along with voices of others who are closely connected to her portraits and artistic practice. [Amy Sherald] Hi. My name is Amy Sherald, welcome to my show, American Sublime. [Asma Naeem] As you step into the opening gallery, you’ll encounter a remarkable journey through Sherald’s career—where she’s been and where she’s headed. This is the most comprehensive exhibition of her work to date, spanning 2007 to 2024. Together, they offer a nuanced glimpse of what it means to be American, while positioning Sherald firmly within the expansive history of American art and its complex engagement ideas of American history, identity, and patriotism. This is an artist who has redefined the possibilities of portraiture, opening doors to how we perceive ourselves and representation. [Amy Sherald] And I did not want the conversation about the work solely to be about race and identity. Even though it can be employed that way. I wanted it to also have a universal leg to stand on as well for it to fit into the larger canon of work that has been made by an American realist. [Asma Naeem] I’m especially delighted to welcome Amy Sherald back to Baltimore. Many of these images were painted right here, in studio spaces near Lexington Market and at the beloved Motor House just a few blocks away. This presentation marks a jubilant homecoming and a celebration of this city’s legendary creative community. We’re honored to share her work with you and hope American Sublime inspires connection, reflection, and joy.