“Lovely Six Foota” (2007). C-Print 61.6 x 76.2 cm, Edition 1 of 6, with 2 APs© Mickalene Thomas
Imagine a radiant black woman pictured larger than life, her eyes, lips, and afro exquisitely detailed in rhinestones so that she sparkles and shines. She is a vision of luminosity that draws you in, set upon a pastiche of vintage patterns that evoke the spirit of the 1970s. She is the Foxy Brown and Beverly Johnson residing within black women everywhere.
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She is the vision of African-American artist Mickalene Thomas, whose magnificent portraits have been taking the art world by storm for the past two decades. Drawing from a wealth of art historical and pop culture sources, Thomas creates mesmerising paintings, collages, photographs, videos, or installations that stand as a testament to female beauty, sexuality, and power.
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Thomas’ layered portraits, interiors, and landscape works explore the relationship between representation, identity, and gender, providing a dynamic space for reflection, contemplation, and celebration of the female form – one that is infinitely attuned to the ways in which a work of art can become both a public and private space for communion.
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Here, Thomas shares the people and experiences that informed her work, providing insight into her process and perspective that has made her one of the most influential artists of our time.
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“Portrait of Lovely Six Foota” (2007). Rhinestones, acrylic, and enamel on wood panel 152.4 x 121.9 cm. © Mickalene Thomas
Hair Portrait #9” (2013). Rhinestones and acrylic on wood panel, 121.92 x 101.60 cm. © Mickalene Thomas