Culture

Mickalene Thomas and the Art of Saying “No” as a Black Creative


Tenderness and intimacy and sensuality are a natural impetus that I have always desired in my work. There are not enough images of Black women loving Black women, specifically. So I feel I have a responsibility to contribute positive images for those who don’t know anywhere else to go, where they can see themselves in the work. The tenderness of women loving women is such a completely beautiful and magical thing, and when it is portrayed right, when you see it and know that it is so directly poignant from a female gaze, you know you’ve been there.

A lot of it is about my personal narrative; I use that as a journey folding in and out of my work. I’m not afraid to say this is my story. An extension of yourself needs to be in the work for that authenticity. If you’re going to tell the story, tell the truth of the story. There are a series of videos I’ve done called Je T’Aime, Je T’Aime Deux and Je T’Aime Trois and those are videos of my partner and I in our intimate spaces just staring at each other in the bed. There’s a lot going on but there’s a lot you don’t see. You don’t always need to see something to know the love between two people. You can use other modes of construct to exemplify those feelings. It’s beyond physicality — it’s a deeper love that is oftentimes ignored. It’s important for artists like myself to have those signifiers in my work. If you’re not there, can you get a sense of who that artist is? That silent warrior is very powerful, and that’s how I like to think of myself.

What role do you think art can play during the current uprisings against racism and global pandemic?

It was only a matter of time that this shift occurred. The pot is not only boiling over, but all the water has evaporated and the pot itself exploded. We’re feeling this impact in a more tumultuous way because so many of us are sheltering in place. Black Lives Matter is something that matters every day, but most of us were too preoccupied with our own lives to see it or be involved. Often, we’re complicit as silent bystanders. My hope is we become more proactive in our involvement. In my own work, I’m thinking about the women who have been lost to police violence. I know there’s a need for me to produce that work; I’m collecting all their names and their stories and thinking about how I can best use my work to create impact. This pandemic allows for a lot of introspection and slowing down. I think as a human race, we need to ask: what is the environment and the universe expecting from us? I think we’re all hoping to go back to some sort of normalcy, but that has changed. What normalcy? We need to define for ourselves as artists how we are not going to default back to old habits. We can’t let this get comfortable for us again. Take the time to look at yourself holistically.

How can the art world better accommodate Black creatives?

The art world needs to stop using Black people for its own benefit when it only comes to issues of Blackness they deem relevant. Have these kinds of conversations when uprisings aren’t happening. Great — institutions want to involve us. But is it really the right opportunity? The world is in conflict right now; would they be asking this of white male artists if something of this nature was happening to them? Probably not. Even though you have organizations and collectors giving funding to enhance DEIs, I want to see what’s going to happen a year or five years from now. Are we still moving forward in this way?

What advice do you have for emerging Black queer artists?

There are great opportunities, but I’ve said no to a lot of things. As a Black artist, you’ve got to know your worth, and we got to know when the opportunity is for them or for us. Several different companies and organizations want to use my voice to help benefit their vision. There’s a great power saying no. Say to yourself when you’re asked for material: is this a win win situation for both of you? If it’s just a win for them, if you just want little increments of exposure, think about what you really have to gain. If they really want you, they will wait for the right opportunity. I’ve told a lot of museums I’m not going to open during this time. You’re not going to celebrate me and honor me right now — would you honor me if this was not happening? Don’t be afraid to ask pressing, difficult and uncomfortable questions. Cut through all the B.S. As artists of color, we’re at the top of the pyramid in the market. Without us, there is no market. Period.

Get the best of what’s queer. Sign up for our weekly newsletter here.



READ NEWS SOURCE

This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this site, you accept our use of cookies.