Portrait of woman with afro with exposed chest

Mickalene Thomas

Portrait of Maya #10

€795

Edition of 73259.3 (H) × 52.5 (W) cm

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A muse from years gone by returns in a sparkling print by Mickalene Thomas.

In her portrait, Maya commands the viewer from above in a powerful stance – captured by Mickalene on camera in the apartment the pair once shared in New York City. Collaged photographic layers draw focus to her chest, and what lies within. The original portrait was finished with sparkling embellishments, used by Thomas to redistribute light and draw attention to important areas of the composition.

In support of the Broad museum, the artwork has been transformed into a limited edition print. Silkscreen overprints and hand-applied glitter highlight the X-ray-like section at the artwork’s centre, and add dimension to Maya’s clothing and hair.

“I want the muse to see themselves the way I see them – very strong, confident, incredibly monumental and breathtakingly gorgeous.”

Framing

Prints can be ordered float-mounted in one of two framing options

Medium

UV pigment print on 410gsm Somerset Tub Sized Radiant White paper with 4 metallic silkscreen glitter and shimmer layers, a CMYK silkscreen central panel and matte varnish seal

Authentication

Signed and dated bottom right hand corner, numbered bottom left

Certificate of Authenticity

Arrives with a certificate of authenticity.

Release date

June 25, 2024

Payment

Pay with bank card, crypto, Apple Pay or Google Pay. If you wish you to use an alternative payment method, get in touch.

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00:58

Behind the scenes

00:49

Mickalene Thomas10 collaborationsMickalene Thomas set out to change the face of art history, and that's exactly what she did. In her loud but tender multimedia portraits, Black femme power, beauty and desire take centre stage. Whether it's the artist herself, her mother, a lover, a friend or a public figure like Michelle Obama, each woman tells her own story. In Thomas' words: "The gaze of my work is unapologetically a Black woman's gaze loving other Black women."¹ This deep sense of adoration and respect comes through in all of her art – not just her portraits but her interiors and photography too. The bright Pop Art-esque blend of photography, collage, paint and craft shop materials like rhinestones has a celebratory feel designed to uplift and empower the next generation. "For me, it's all about trying to inspire and make young girls, when they walk into a space like [a museum], feel a sense of themselves. They see that they're represented."

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Reviews from Avant collectors

Excellent experience overall. Thank you for an easy transaction.
Review of Everyone is a dragon
Great packaging and superb frame! nice piece
Review of Actual Size
simply one of the most well produced prints i have ever purchased. its absolutely beyond what i was expecting. so beautiful!!!
Review of Prismatic Head Composition
I think your service excellent. Sufficient information throughout the process, not too many emails, thank you. Wrapping 5stars. And the print is superb! Fulfills my little dreamsof owning some art and supporting arti/artists that deserve it.
Review of Dissipate
The unboxing was wonderful! Great work! This was a total experience!
Review of Inner Love
perfect customer service! thank you
Review of Untitled
we appreciate the care taken in transport. Our piece was unframed but we appreciated how the packaging was done to protect it and also extras like the information on the art and the tote bag. We love the art work.
Review of Guardian
Very pleased with the entire process.
Review of Actual Size

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