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 size confirmed after the 48 hours release

Free worldwide shipping

Shipping estimated 17-24 July

48 hour release starts on

Tuesday, 17 March – 17:00 UTC

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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the original of which was created in 2010, exemplifies the artist's trademark fusion of portraiture, pattern and art-historical references.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

everything in the communication has been pretty clear and fluid, the tracking before delivery was detailled and fast, the packaging was enought secured and the final artwork is incredible !
Review of B BOY JUSHI
incredible super premium packaging! the unboxing experience was wow! the piece is gorgeous, looking forward to hang it
Review of Guardian
Love my new Snowfro piece and all the little extras that came with it! The tote bag in particular is immaculate 🤌
Review of Chromie Squiggle #8107
It's awesome! The artwork quality is superb! I really really loved everything you did - the gloves, the totem bag, the letter... amazing! Thanks so much!
Review of Guardian
the Service was perfect and i love my print
Review of Sleepy
Wonderful experience. Art looks amazing. Unbelievable framing. Thank you!!
Review of Untitled [Man in Car with Shed]
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)
the experience and artwork far exceeded my expectations.
Review of "The only bond worth anything between human beings is their humanness."

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