Mickalene Thomas (b.1971) is an American artist exploring the intersection of popular culture and art history, through a contemporary Black female gaze. As an openly gay Black woman, sexuality and race are essential themes in Thomas' practice.
Thomas frequently creates portraits of black women. Her subjects, or muses, emanate an air of confidence or nonchalance and are often surrounded by abstract or patterned elements from an array of sources and eras. Elements of Blaxploitation, Pop Art, Cubism, Dadaism, and even Renaissance art appear in her work.
Thomas subverts both art history and contemporary visual culture through her images of Black women. Their hair often remains natural, and their bodies are often exposed. They lounge, or pose, as women in art history have done for centuries. Only this time, it's Black women being celebrated for their culture and beauty.
Furthermore, her subjects' gaze is usually directed towards the viewer, challenging the white male gaze and defying racial stereotypes of both subservience and objectification.
"Tiffona Lisa #2" is an exemplary image that features Thomas' most distinct and recognizable motifs. In this work, the subject is composed using the artist's signature collage technique and set against her trademark wood-paneled background.
Referencing the Mona Lisa, the posed woman faces forward, her still features anchored by the strength in her gaze as she fixates on the viewer.
This design was reissued in 2021 as a fundraiser for the Coalition for the Homeless. It includes all the original packaging.
Thomas' works can be found in numerous permanent collections including the Museum of Modern Art (NY), Musée des beaux-arts de Montréal, the Guggenheim (NYC), the Smithsonian American Art Museum (NYC), and the Whitney (NYC) among many others.
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"Tiffona Lisa #2"
USA, 2016
Fine bone china
Printed signature with inscription, verso
Includes custom artist box with printed signature
From an edition of 250
10.5"W (work)
Excellent condition.
Produced by Prospect and supported by Gagosian
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