Did you know?
Thomas’s first muse was her mother, Sandra Bush, a model set for super-stardom in the 1970s, who fell on hard times.
Country of Birth
USA
Auction Record
£1,419,666
Racquel Reclining Wearing Purple Jumpsuit
Christie's New York
2021
Mickalene Thomas
Celebrating the beauty, sexuality and power of Black women through collage, photography and film, Thomas’ bold works reshape ideas of the artist’s muse. A graduate of the Pratt Institute and Yale School of Art, her impactful collages harnessing rhinestones and enamel have made her one of America’s most in-demand contemporary artists. In 2021, her work 'Raquel Reclining Wearing Purple Jumpsuit' sold for over $1.8 million at Christie’s (more than three times its high estimate).
Collections
- Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum , New York, USA
- MoMA , New York, USA
- Brooklyn Museum , Brooklyn, NY, USA
- National Portrait Gallery , Washington, D.C., USA
- Smithsonian American Art Museum , Washington, D.C., USA
Exhibitions
- Mickalene Thomas: Avec Monet , Musée National de l'Orangerie, Paris, FR, 2022-23
- Mickalene Thomas: Femmes Noires , Contemporary Arts Center, New Orleans, USA, 2019
- Mickalene Thomas: découverte , Baldwin Gallery, Aspen, USA, 2019
- Mickalene Thomas: Do I Look Like a Lady? , Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles, USA, 2016
- Muse: Mickalene Thomas Photography and tête-à-tête , Aperture Foundation, New York, USA, 2015
- Mama Bush: One of a Kind Two , Hara Museum of Contemporary Art, Tokyo, JP, 2011
Mickalene Thomas Editorial
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08 Jan 2026
Why January is the Best Time to Buy
January is often seen as a pause in the art world. In reality, it is one of the most constructive...
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31 Jul 2025 4 min read
The Hang | Your monthly round up of Art Market based News
Kusama dominates Tokyo, Warhol holds the line, and why editioned works are anchoring collector confidence this summer.
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07 Mar 2025 2 min read
Market Watch: Auction highlights | RESULTS Part 2
Sotheby's auction, which totalled £62.5m, also included a £4.3m Banksy sold by blink-182 frontman Mark Hoppus.
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01 Mar 2025 2 min read
Market Watch: Auction highlights | Part 2
Time for Part 2... We are spanning London and New York with Christie's and Phillips to host day and evening...
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24 Feb 2025 2 min read
Market Watch: Auction highlights | Part 1
Numerous pivotal auctions are approaching in the coming 2 weeks - We have taken time to highlight lots from the...
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12 Feb 2025 3 min read
Exhibition Review | Mickalene Thomas 'All about Love'
On Tuesday 11th Feb, Hayward Gallery in London opened the much-awaited solo show 'All About Love' by American artist Mickalene...
