Description:

Mickalene Thomas
"Untitled" (Black is Beautiful)
USA, 2017
Inkjet print
Signed and numbered by the artist
From an edition of 100
14"H 11"W (work)
Framed Approx: 22"H x 17"W
Excellent condition
Published by Nazraeli Press, Netherland
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.
This sensual and uplifting print epitomizes Thomas' style and the importance of collage in her practice. While the artist often portrays women from her family or social circle, the anonymous woman here is a reappropriated image from a 1970s pin-up called Jet: Beauties of the Month. (An offshoot of Jet Magazine, the calendar was advertised as the first "black is beautiful" publication of its kind)
Thomas' works can be found in numerous permanent collections including the Museum of Modern Art (NY), Mus?e des beaux-arts de Montr?al, the Guggenheim (NYC), the Smithsonian American Art Museum (NYC), and the Whitney (NYC) among many others.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

ACH, American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Paypal, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

Except for jewelry items, Kodner Estate Holdings does not provide in-house shipping. All other items subject to description are shipped by a third-party. Upon approval we will release you items to Pakmail, 305-274-2700 to provide you a quote or to any to any other shipping company you direct. We recommend calculating costs of shipping prior to bidding. Contact: [email protected]

June 15, 2024 11:00 AM EDT
Dania Beach, FL, US

Joshua Kodner

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 27% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $200
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,000
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $25,000