Portrait of woman with afro with exposed chest

Mickalene Thomas

Portrait of Maya #10

€795

Edition of 73259.3 (H) × 52.5 (W) cm

Sold out

Love this work?

Subscribe to get notified about any cancellations and early access on next releases.

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.

Policies

Returns and refunds

Go deeper

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."

Who else should know about this work?

Help us spread the word

Reviews from Avant collectors

amazing 🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼
Review of HOPE (376-500)
Everything was perfect. I'm impressed how it was packaged. Thank you.
Review of Guardian
A wonderful experience from start to finish.
Review of Open Mind (Small)
very good quality of the print and very professional service 👍
Review of Inner Love
It looks great and is one of our favorite pieces to add to our collection. We think the printing looks fantastic!
Review of Scaffold
What a breathtakingly beautiful art print! What a great service!
Review of Inner Love
we love these prints and hope that Ai WeiWei will continue with the other zodiac symbols :)
Review of Combat fear with truth
Wonderful experience, can't wait for another purchase for my collection!
Review of Unveiling series #1, 1993

Discover more print editions on Avant Arte

See all

Available

Jack KaidoICYMI, 2024€2,500

Available

Aaron JohnsonSuburban Dreams€1,000

Draw

Cai Guo-QiangBlue Pegasus€1,500Closing on 30 October

Draw

David Wojnarowicz EstateInside This House€600Closing in 00d 00h 00m