Four people in vibrant patterned attire sit at a table in a room with bold, geometric wall and floor designs.

Mickalene Thomas

Girlfriends & Lovers

€795

Time-limited edition

Edition of 283

Artwork

Framing

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Mickalene Thomas presents a shimmering, richly layered limited edition print of a signature group portrait.

Girlfriends & Lovers, the original of which was created in 2010, exemplifies the artist's trademark fusion of portraiture, pattern and art-historical references. Drawing on 1970s pop culture, interior design and classical group portraiture, the composition reclaims Black femininity through Mickalene's unique, intimate and unapologetic gaze.

This limited edition print is the result of an intricate silkscreen process, with metallic shimmer layers alongside gloss and matte varnishes, carefully calibrated to echo the bold texture of the original artwork made from acrylic, enamel and rhinestone.

At Mickalene's studio

A close-up image of an artist signing her work.

Behind the scenes

A short film detailing the process behind the printmaking.

Mickalene Thomas

10 collaborations

Mickalene 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

I absolutely love the textured details. The picture literally pops off the canvas and the floating frame encompasses those details perfectly. Amazing job by Jake Fried and the Avant Arte team! I'm excited for my next purchase.
Review of Open Eyes (Signal)
Excellent experience overall. Thank you for an easy transaction.
Review of Everyone is a dragon
the item was some of the most professional packing i have seen outside of a museum. exceptionally well packed
Review of Guardian
outstanding paper quality and excellent packaging. love it.
Review of Actual Size
Great job! love the artwork.really impressed with your packing and what is included. It shows you care about what you do and leaves a great impression. thank you
Review of Maya & Interior
excellent and amazing. just a marvellous experience dealing with Avant Arte
Review of Dissipate
We really appreciate AA being a trusted partner in our collecting journey. The quality offerings that AA helps bring to the market continue to impress.
Review of Portrait and Head
Thanks for keeping me in the loop during the entire process. The packaging of the item was exceptional.
Review of Portrait of Maya #10

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