Mickalene Thomas

Biography

New York-based artist Mickalene Thomas is known for her elaborate paintings adorned with rhinestones, enamel and colorful acrylics. Her depictions of African American women explore notions of black female celebrity and identity while romanticizing ideas of femininity and power. Reminiscent of 70s style Blaxploitation, the subjects in Thomas’ paintings radiate sexuality. Women in provocative poses sprawl across the picture plane and are surrounded by kitschy decorative patterns inspired by her childhood. Mickalene Thomas earned her MFA at Yale University in 2002 and completed a residency at the Studio Museum in Harlem, New York. Currently she lives and works in New York.
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Gallery Exhibitions

• Art 39 Basel, Hall 2.1 Booth F2 - June 4 - 8, 2008
• The Armory Show 2008 - March 27 - 30, 2008

Museum Exhibitions

• Art 39 Basel, Hall 2.1 Booth F2 - June 4 - 8, 2008
• The Armory Show 2008 - March 27 - 30, 2008

Selected Works

MICKALENE THOMAS Special Occasion Lovely Six Foota


MICKALENE THOMAS Afro Goddess Looking Forward, 2007 rhinestone, acrylic and enamel on wood panel 72 x 72 inches 182.9 x 182.9 cm


MICKALENE THOMAS When Ends Meet, 2007 two screenprints with hand-applied rhinestones on four-ply museum board 28 x 31.875 inches (paper) 71.1 x 81 cm 29.75 x 33.5 inches (framed) 75.57 x 85 cm 31.875 x 28 inches (paper) 81 x 71.1 cm 33.5 x 29.75 inches (framed) 85 x 75.57 cm Edition of 20 Exhibition Copy


MICKALENE THOMAS A Little Tatse Outside of Love


MICKALENE THOMAS This Girl Could Be Dangerous


MICKALENE THOMAS FBI/Serial Portraits, 2008 rhinestone and acrylic on panel 21 panels, each: 24 x 20 inches 61 x 50.8 cm


MICKALENE THOMAS Portrait of Qusuquzah, 2008 mounted c-print 23.75 x 29.5 inches (paper) 60.3 x 74.9 cm 27.25 x 33.25 inches (framed) 69.2 x 84.5 cm Edition 3 of 6 LM11478


MICKALENE THOMAS Tamika sur une chaise longue, 2008 mounted c-print 24 x 29.5 inches (paper) 61 x 74.9 cm 27.125 x 33.125 inches (framed) 68.9 x 84.1 cm Edition 5 of 5 LM11470


MICKALENE THOMAS A Moment's Pleasure in Black and White, 2006-8 mounted c-print 23.75 x 29.5 inches (paper) 60.3 x 74.9 cm 27.125 x 33.125 inches (framed) 68.9 x 84.1 cm Edition 3 of 5 LM11471


MICKALENE THOMAS La Leçon d'amour La Leçon d'amour, 2008 rhinestone and acrylic on panel 96 x 120 inches 243.8 x 304.8 cm LM11259


MICKALENE THOMAS Din avec la main dans le miroir, 2008 mounted c-print 19.5 x 15.75 inches (paper) 49.5 x 40 cm 23.25 x 19.5 inches (framed) 59.1 x 49.5 cm Edition 1 of 6 LM11218


MICKALENE THOMAS L'offre de fleur, 2008 mounted c-print 15.75 x 19.75 inches (paper) 40 x 50.2 cm 19.5 x 23.25 inches (framed) 49.5 x 59.1 cm Edition 1 of 6 LM11221


MICKALENE THOMAS Milk & Honey, Lavender Too (Whitney Houston), 2008 rhinestone and acrylic on panel 10 panels, each: 24 x 20 inches 61 x 50.8 cm overall dimensions: 94 x 64 inches 238.8 x 162.6 cm LM11308


MICKALENE THOMAS Brawlin' Spitfire Wrestlers, 2007 resin, paint and Swarovski crystals 10 x 14 x 9.75 inches 25.4 x 35.6 x 24.8 cm Edition 15 of 40 Signed and numbered LM11509


MICKALENE THOMAS America the Beautiful , 2008 rhinestone and acrylic on panel 12 panels, each: 24 x 20 inches 61 x 50.8 cm overall dimensions: 96 x 60 inches 243.8 x 152.4 cm LM11307