The following conversation took place in New York-based artist Mickalene Thomas’s studio in Brooklyn while she was in the final stages of preparation for her show at the Seattle Art Museum, Figuring History: Robert Colescott, Kerry James Marshall, Mickalene Thomas, which featured three solo shows from the three artists. The conversation focuses on and develops around one specific painting, Portrait of Maya, 2018. We begin with the idea of portraiture and muses, develop the concept of photography as a medium in her practice, and further reach into video and the importance of collage as a fundamental in her work.
AS IF: Let’s discuss your new Portrait of Maya #10.
Mickalene Thomas: It was based on a series of photographs I had taken of Maya [the artists former lover] in our home and basement studio on Lexington Avenue, Brooklyn. What I appreciate about those photographs is they were shot with a 35mm disposable camera, so the quality and resolution were low. The residue and intimacy of the framework reminds me of the nudes in the 70’s. I wondered the one-hour photo thought of those resique images as they processed them.