August 27, 2021 • View in browser

Good morning. 🌤️ Today, a guerrilla memorial to LGBTQ+ activist Marsha Johnson pops up in Manhattan, an artist talks about her yearlong performance producing no garbage, and as two Obama portraits go on display at the Brooklyn Museum, we invite you to check out our earlier coverage about the unveiling in DC back in 2018.

— Hrag Vartanian, editor-in-chief

On the Day of Marsha Johnson’s Birthday, Guerrilla Memorial Pops Up by Stonewall

After a statue of the trans activist promised by the city was delayed by the pandemic, activists installed the bust themselves this week. | Valentina Di Liscia

SPONSORED

The Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery Presents “Hung Liu: Portraits of Promised Lands”

The exhibition will be on view from August 27, 2021, to May 30, 2022. Learn more.

WHAT'S HAPPENING

Comedian's John Oliver's "weird art" contest (via YouTube)

Five museums will receive a $10,000 grant from comedian John Oliver’s HBO series, Last Week Tonight, in return for hosting his “weird art” collection.

ART & OPINION

Southwest Asian and North African Artists and Their Barrier to Access

“Our works are much more curious and mysterious than they are shown,” says Leyya Mona Tawil of Arab.AMP. | Elmaz Abinader

Fun Facts I Learned from a Year of Producing No Garbage

I held a year-long performance piece in which I threw nothing away to see what I could find out about the state of consumer recycling. | Eve Schaub

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FROM THE ARCHIVE

The Obama Portraits Tour has arrived at the Brooklyn Museum, showcasing the two monumental paintings by Kehinde Wiley and Amy Sherald. Below, Claire Voon and Blair Murphy take us back to their unveiling in 2018, and Steven Nelson examines their role in the history of African American portraiture.

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. | Claire Voon

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.” | Blair Murphy

The Obama Portraits and the History of African American Portraiture

Like many African American portraitists, Amy Sherald and Kehinde Wiley represent the Obamas as themselves, and as more than themselves. | Steven Nelson

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Quilts of Gee's Bend Notecards

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