Desire takes centre stage in November, 1981.
In this sensual collage, Mickalene Thomas blends playfulness with social commentary on the performance of Black femme desire. The central image is cut out of Jet – an African American magazine founded in 1951. By appropriating an anonymous 'beauty of the month', Mickalene challenges notions of sex, power and erotica.
Through close collaboration between Mickalene's studio and printmakers at Make-Ready, this edition captures the layered complexity of the original work. The anonymous woman is printed over a silver base layer, giving a lustrous sheen to her naked body and afro-crowned head. Glittery blue lines trace the contours of her form, while her lips are exaggerated with fluorescent pink. High-gloss varnish nods to the shiny finish of the original magazine.
Unframed: 65.50cm (H) × 53.60cm (W)
UV pigment print on 410gsm Somerset Tub Sized Radiant White paper with 11 silkscreen layers, including 2 silkscreen metallic shimmer layers, CMYK silkscreen panels, gloss varnish, fluorescent pink details and matte varnish seal.
Signed and dated by the artist. Individually numbered.
Arrives with a certificate of authenticity.
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