Mickalene Thomas New Jersey, USA, b. 1971
Portrait of Kerri #2, 2019
Rhinestones and acrylic on canvas mounted on panel
152.4 x 121.9 x 5.1 cm
60 x 48 x 2 in
60 x 48 x 2 in
© 2019 Mickalene Thomas / Courtesy Fundación AMMA
Photo: Sergio Ortíz
Further images
A woman depicted from behind turns toward the viewer and fixes them with her gaze. Beyond the figure's foreshortened pose, the painting draws the eye through the small rhinestones adorning her clothing, skin, and body, as well as the ten soft-toned squares that partially obscure her—acting as a form of censorship or visual noise.
In Mickalene Thomas’s portraits, the strength and courage of women are palpable. Her work serves as a reminder of the importance of women across various spheres of society. She frequently employs collage, combining diverse visual elements—each with its own symbolism—to construct her unique fantasy world; her process begins with photography, incorporating multimedia, painterly, and collage techniques.
In Mickalene Thomas’s portraits, the strength and courage of women are palpable. Her work serves as a reminder of the importance of women across various spheres of society. She frequently employs collage, combining diverse visual elements—each with its own symbolism—to construct her unique fantasy world; her process begins with photography, incorporating multimedia, painterly, and collage techniques.