Last night – Thursday, September 27th, 2012 – was the opening of renowned Brooklyn-based artist Mickalene Thomas’ solo exhibition Origin of the Universe, which was previously on display at the Santa Monica Museum of Art. The exhibition includes more than 90 works spanning Thomas’ career, with her iconic and vibrant paintings of “African American women set against backdrops of decor recalled from her childhood” forming the foundation of the show. Many of her largest works draw directly on significant works from art history by directly quoting or even re-staging works by such prominent artists as Gustave Courbet but re-worked with a strong pop influence and with a re-working of racial make up, commenting on themes of “artifice, masking, and costuming.”
In addition to her rhinestone studded, large-scale paintings, there were also many examples of her photographic work, works on paper and two video pieces. This incredible exhibition is well worth a visit for the unique look it provides at Thomas’ new work within the contextual frame of past projects and her personal life. If you live in or are visiting New York, be sure to visit Origin of the Universe before it closes January 20th, 2013.
Stay tuned for future collaborations between Paddle8 and Mickalene Thomas and view more images from the opening on our Facebook!