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Mickalene Thomas, Portrait of Mnonja, 2010, rhinestones, acrylic, and enamel on wood panel, 96 x 120 in. (243.8 x 304.8 cm), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase through the Luisita L. and Franz H. Denghausen Endowment, 2011.16, © 2010, Mickalene Thomas
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Artwork Details
- Title
- Portrait of Mnonja
- Artist
- Date
- 2010
- Location
- Dimensions
- 96 x 120 in. (243.8 x 304.8 cm)
- Copyright
- © 2010, Mickalene Thomas
- Credit Line
- Museum purchase through the Luisita L. and Franz H. Denghausen Endowment
- Mediums
- Mediums Description
- rhinestones, acrylic, and enamel on wood panel
- Highlights
- Keywords
- African American
- Architecture Interior — domestic — living room
- Portrait female — Mnonja
- Object Number
- 2011.16
Artwork Description
Although she first started working with rhinestones because they were inexpensive, Thomas finds them to be the ideal material to represent the Black women who are her subjects. She loves to use an element of women's crafts that is often dismissed as unimportant.
In Mnonja, the straightforward appeal of the stones emphasizes the sitter's powerful presence and sensuality. "Beauty has always been an element of discussion for Black women," Thomas explains, "whether or not we were the ones having the conversation."
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