Step into a world of artistic brilliance!
You would be hard-pressed to find a magazine that hasn’t featured Mickalene Thomas, and for good reason. As an African-American contemporary artist and filmmaker from New Jersey, she has been making waves around the world for her unique and captivating pieces. Thomas' artistry spans various mediums, including painting, photography, and video installations. She is renowned for her intricate, multi-layered compositions, bold patterns, vibrant colors, and glitter. I especially appreciate how her work explores themes of identity, representation, and gender, drawing inspiration from popular culture and art history.
Although Thomas first gained recognition for her paintings, which used mixed media to turn her imaginative ideas into tangible art, this approach allowed her to create physical depth and structure, extending her creativity beyond the canvas. Luckily, we can see her incredibly breathtaking works on display as she completes major tour exhibitions across the US and UK! “Mickalene Thomas: All About Love” is the pioneering artist’s first major international tour and is debuting at The Broad in Los Angeles, California, with over 90 of her works made over the last 20 years. If you’re in the area, be sure to check out this artist’s amazing works until September 29th. Then, “All About Love” will move to the East Coast at the Barnes from October 20th, 2024, to January 12th, 2025.
The final confirmed stop is the Hayward Gallery, London, from February 11th, 2025, to May 5th, 2025. This will be the final chance for art lovers to witness how Thomas has mastered and innovated several disciplines and channels her passions into demanding that Black women be seen and understood. Thomas told Forbes.com that one of the reasons she had love on her mind was because she was “thinking about it in relationship to who I am in the world, and the impact that I'm creating, and how I'm also inspired by others to then make the work that I'm making.”
I love that Thomas’ work brings a whole new perspective to the table. Three of her unique and special pieces are in the Clark Collection. Madame Mama Bush (2012) is a large format photograph depicting Mickalene’s mother and muse, Sandra, at the artist’s studio. The piece represents a fundamental shift in the way black female bodies are visualized. Everyone Loves Kalenda (2016) is another of her empowering portraits of black women that celebrate their beauty. Last but not least, Dior Lady Art #3 (2018) is a reimagined version of the classic Dior Lady bag. The piece was made for the third edition of the Dior Lady Art project, for which the fashion house invited artists from around the world and, for the first time, only women to reinterpret the Lady Dior bag.
“All About Love” also draws inspiration and themes from the influential work of writer bell hooks. The exhibition aims to portray love as an active process of healing, moving away from domination and toward collective freedom. This powerful display invites us all to engage in the transformative journey of understanding and liberation through art.
I hope to see more of Thomas’ impactful work with my own eyes sometime soon!
Check out some of Thomas’ work here.
