"By portraying real women with their own unique history, beauty and background, I’m working to diversify the representations of black women in art."
—Mickalene ThomasMickalene Thomas’ dynamic practice includes photography, painting, collage, and illustration; a layered process mimicking the multifaceted dimension of her subjects. Addressing themes such as race, gender and sexuality, Thomas’ work explores the extent to which identity is constructed by representations in art history and pop culture. This unique photomontage is comprised of seven panels each with stacked frames and fabric built around the seven striking female portraits. With clear references to Edouard Manet’s Olympia and Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres’ La Grande Odalisque, this installation highlights Thomas’ innovative, expressive, and rich visual lexicon.