Mickalene Thomas's first monograph "Muse", is a tribute to the artist's relationship with her models. Through her bold portraits of African American women, she attempts to engage with, challenge and expand prevailing notions of beauty.
"La leçon d'amour" (2008) by Mickalene Thomas —
Mickalene Thomas's first monograph "Muse", is a tribute to the artist's relationship with her models. Through her bold portraits of African American women, she attempts to engage with, challenge and expand prevailing notions of beauty.
Courtesy of Mickalene Thomas and Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York
Though she's primarily known for her paintings, Thomas has been using the medium of photography since her days studying at the Yale University School of Art.
"Afro Goddess Looking Forward" (2006) by Mickalene Thomas —
Though she's primarily known for her paintings, Thomas has been using the medium of photography since her days studying at the Yale University School of Art.
Courtesy of Mickalene Thomas and Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York
While the images are decidedly contemporary, Thomas often draws inspiration from the past. "Le Déjeuner sur l'herbe: Les trois femmes noires" (2010), for example, is a direct nod to Edouard Manet's "<a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.artsy.net%2Fartwork%2Fedouard-manet-luncheon-on-the-grass-le-dejeuner-sur-lherbe" target="_blank" target="_blank">Le Déjeuner sur l'herbe</a>."
"Le Déjeuner sur l'herbe: Les trois femmes noires" (2010) by Mickalene Thomas —
While the images are decidedly contemporary, Thomas often draws inspiration from the past. "Le Déjeuner sur l'herbe: Les trois femmes noires" (2010), for example, is a direct nod to Edouard Manet's "Le Déjeuner sur l'herbe."
Courtesy of Mickalene Thomas and Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York
Her models are primarily chosen from her inner circle of friends and acquaintances.
"I've Been Good To Me" (2011) by Mickalene Thomas —
Her models are primarily chosen from her inner circle of friends and acquaintances.
Courtesy of Mickalene Thomas and Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York
"Why not work with them?" she says. "It's very important for me to work with women who are part of my life, part of my world, my experience."
"Baby I Am Ready Now" (2007) by Mickalene Thomas —
"Why not work with them?" she says. "It's very important for me to work with women who are part of my life, part of my world, my experience."
Courtesy of Mickalene Thomas and Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York
Her elaborate sets harken back to the '70s. She hopes that the element of nostalgia will help her models feel more comfortable at the beginning of the creative process.
"Lovely Six Foota" (2007) by Mickalene Thomas —
Her elaborate sets harken back to the '70s. She hopes that the element of nostalgia will help her models feel more comfortable at the beginning of the creative process.
Courtesy of Mickalene Thomas and Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York
Thomas strives to have models unveil their inner beauty and confidence in front of the camera.
"Remember Me" (2006) by Mickalene Thomas —
Thomas strives to have models unveil their inner beauty and confidence in front of the camera.
Courtesy of Mickalene Thomas and Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York
While some models bring their natural charisma to the camera, others only reveal it once they've been fully dressed in character.
"Din avec la main dans le miroir" (2008) by Mickalene Thomas —
While some models bring their natural charisma to the camera, others only reveal it once they've been fully dressed in character.
Courtesy of Mickalene Thomas and Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York
"I think of them a lot of the time as self-portraits," Thomas says. "It's not conveyed in how I look or dress, but it's an inner thing -- that desire and aspiration -- that's there."
"The Struggle Within #2" (2011) by Mickalene Thomas —
"I think of them a lot of the time as self-portraits," Thomas says. "It's not conveyed in how I look or dress, but it's an inner thing -- that desire and aspiration -- that's there."
Courtesy of Mickalene Thomas and Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York
It's Thomas' hope that all women and girls will be able to identify with her subjects. <br /><br />"Any women -- regardless of race, cultural identity or ethnicity -- could look at these images, and something about (the model) -- her elegance, her glamor, her vulnerability, her confidence, her stance, her composition -- will remind them of themselves."
Racquel #6 (2013/2015) by Mickalene Thomas —
It's Thomas' hope that all women and girls will be able to identify with her subjects.

"Any women -- regardless of race, cultural identity or ethnicity -- could look at these images, and something about (the model) -- her elegance, her glamor, her vulnerability, her confidence, her stance, her composition -- will remind them of themselves."
Courtesy of Mickalene Thomas and Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York