Thu 1/29 @ 6-8PM
The work of 54-year-old mixed-media artist Mickalene Thomas is striking and alluring on so many levels. There’s its pizzazz, bright colors of acrylic and enamel, studded with rhinestones. There are her bold portrayals of distinctive Black women, flaunting their personal style without apology as well as her unblinking take on female bodies, many of them openly queer. She’s also exported a similar style to her film, video, photography and collage works. To be in the presence of one of her pieces is to bask in often giddy celebration.
Where can you see her work in this region? Well, the Akron Art Museum owns one of her works on view in the Images of Blackness collection gallery. And the museum is hosting a workshop called Off The Wall to encourage people to be inspired by her eclectic style. It will explore her work, starting with an informal gallery tour, after which participants will be able to create a portrait from a variety of materials, inspired by her style. Go here for tickets. It’s free for members, $15 for others.
akronartmuseum/off-the-wall-mickalene-thomas/