A love letter to black womanhood — PhotoBook Magazine

The exhibition features pieces from her artistic journey spanning more than 20 years. Her journey began in the early 2000s with explorations in photography, where she initially focused on staged compositions that challenged conventions of identity and representation, particularly in the context of Black womanhood. Over the course of her career, Thomas expanded her practice to painting and mixed media, incorporating bright colors, rich textures, and elements such as rhinestones to create visually dynamic and emotionally stirring artworks. Throughout her career, she has consistently explored themes of beauty, power, and the construction of identity, receiving recognition for her bold reinterpretations of art historical tropes and her veneration of Black womanhood. Now, she is showcasing her acclaimed art in a traveling exhibition.

Thomas draws inspiration for her exhibition from the book by author and feminist Bell Hooks All about love: New visionswhere Hooks explores the construction and transformative power of love. Hooks suggests that love is not just a feeling, but an action and a practice. As Thomas stated in her interview with Forbes, “One of the reasons I started thinking about love was because I was thinking about it in terms of who I am in the world, the impact I make, and how I am inspired by others to do the work I do.” She thinks about love in different contexts – be it romance, family dynamics, or personal growth – all of which require spiritual effort, as Hooks describes. Thomas emphasizes, “Love is something we must actively put work into.” Furthermore, she explains that her artwork expresses love through her intimate relationships with her models, capturing and celebrating their essence in portraits and reclining poses. She aims to show their beauty, vulnerability, and strength in their fullest light, surrounded by joy, elegance, and desire. For Thomas, love forms the central theme of her work and art-making.

Throughout her career, she has been committed to authentic representation of black women and to challenging the stigmas and limitations placed on them. The exhibition features more than 80 of her works and provides a glimpse into her powerful portrayal of black femininity. Here is a preview of the artworks featured in the exhibition.