Mickalene Thomas / Portrait of an Unlikely Space

A close look at a new installation by renowned contemporary artist Mickalene Thomas that marks the first time she has engaged with early American history Mickalene Thomas (b. 1971) has gained an international reputation for her dazzling portraits of Black women, as well as her large-scale installations that physically enfold viewers into lushly decorated, 1970s-inspired domestic interiors. This volume offers a window into Thomass unique, multifaceted approach and introduces a new living roomstyle installation by the artist, in which she creates, for the first time, a homelike environment reminiscent of the pre-abolition era. In addition to period-specific textile patterns and other decorative elements, her installation incorporates a selection of small-scale, early American portraits of Black women, men, and childrenfrom miniatures and daguerreotypes to silhouettes on paper and engravings in booksas well as a group of works by Thomas and other contemporary artists in a wide range of media. The books essays examine both how Thomass engagement with early American history opens up previously unexplored and fertile ground for her artistic practice and how this project constructs evocative spaces (both physically and textually) in which the lives of early nineteenth-century Black Americans can be recognized on their own terms. With an artists statement and extensive photography that captures details of the installation, this presentation documents an exciting direction for one of todays most acclaimed artists. Distributed for the Yale University Art Gallery Exhibition Schedule Yale University Art Gallery (September 8, 2023January 7, 2024)