Once I made the decision to make art despite the obstacles and to make this my priority, things just opened up for me. Mickalene Thomas Read Quote
When you look at death, it makes you understand the importance of the moment when you have life and death in front of you, and you witness seeing someone deteriorating in front of you – it’s an overwhelming experience. If you don’t learn from that, I don’t know what else you’re gonna learn. Mickalene Thomas Read Quote
I’m a black American, and I’m proud to represent who and where I’m from – unapologetically. There’s no shame in my game. Mickalene Thomas Read Quote
I remember when I first saw Whoopi Goldberg doing standup, and she was wearing a sheet on her head, basically pretending to be this little white girl with long luxurious blonde hair. Everyone can relate to that. It’s an oral history of black women’s lives through laughter. Mickalene Thomas Read Quote
In my family, growing up, the women were always the ones who were powerful, and they exuded this charisma of empowerment that I hold onto and always remember. I had some difficult times, but these strong women were always a constant. Mickalene Thomas Read Quote
I grew up with a lot of brothers, and I don’t have any sisters, so for me it’s really important to develop my sisterhood. It’s something I’ve always coveted. Mickalene Thomas Read Quote
I’ve always been interested in masking, layering, dressing up and beautifying yourself and what that meant to black women. I’ve always wanted to make things that I haven’t seen before. Mickalene Thomas Read Quote
What’s always intriguing to me is transforming my subjects into a character from another era. Mickalene Thomas Read Quote
There’s a greater power and charisma when a woman is aware of her sexual prowess when it’s not necessarily about victimization or someone else’s pleasure but her own feeling about her own body and understanding and loving herself. Mickalene Thomas Read Quote
I’m really interested in women, particularly the kind of black woman who has overcome obstacles in her life and transformed. Mickalene Thomas Read Quote
