Mickalene Thomas is preparing for her solo show at the Hayward Gallery. She has been reflecting on her art practice and the relationships with her subjects. Thomas realized that many of her works are rooted in love and its various forms.
The exhibition is titled “All About Love,” which references a book by feminist writer bell hooks. Thomas was inspired by hooks’ idea of love as a verb and a journey. The show features Thomas’ mixed-media paintings of women in relaxed poses.
These works challenge the historical eroticization of Black women in art. The paintings have vivid, patterned backgrounds adorned with rhinestones. Large-scale installations recreate the domestic settings of Thomas’ childhood in the 1970s and 1980s.
They include personal items, photos, and books.
Thomas’ artistic exploration of love
Thomas wants these spaces to feel welcoming and relatable to visitors.
A recreation of Thomas’ personal moodboard provides insight into her creative process. She draws inspiration from various visual and literary sources. Collage is a key part of how she develops ideas.
Thomas’ influences range from artists like Faith Ringgold and Carrie Mae Weems to European painters such as Gustave Courbet and Claude Monet. A highlight of the show is her reimagining of Monet’s garden at Giverny, where she previously spent time. The exhibition is just a snapshot of Thomas’ diverse body of work.
She has upcoming projects including monumental public sculptures and films. Her goal is for her art to be impactful and inspiring. “I want my work to be impactful, inspiring and powerful – and I want you to walk out of the gallery feeling a better sense of yourself than you did,” Thomas says.
The show “Mickalene Thomas: ‘All About Love'” is on view at the Hayward Gallery until May 5.