In this episode, Mickalene Thomas, Brooklyn-based contemporary African-American visual artist, sits down with Carrie Scott for a conversation recorded live at her retrospective exhibition at the Hayward Gallery in London. Thomas shares her remarkable transformation from aspiring lawyer to groundbreaking artist and reflects on the profound impact art has had on her life's trajectory. With raw honesty, she reveals how Buddhist philosophy and unwavering faith have guided her successful career path outside traditional gallery structures. Thomas offers powerful insights on maintaining creative integrity, finding balance amidst chaos, and the vital importance of kindness in both personal relationships and broader society. Whether you're an artist, collector, or simply curious about the creative process, Thomas's wisdom on keeping an open heart while navigating life's complexities will leave you inspired and contemplative. Don't miss this intimate conversation with one of contemporary art's most influential voices.
From Carrie: We're at the Hayward Gallery the day after Mickalene Thomas' retrospective opened. Last night it was like standing room only, wall -to -wall people celebrating thismoment because it's all happening and the show is open now so it's alive. She's had this touring retrospective. It opened at the Broad in LA. It then went to Philly. It's now here in London and it feels like the crescendo of 20 years of work. And I don't know what we're gonna get because we've got like a live audience who weren't invited to this particular conversation, but I'm excited to just take the temperature for her and see where she's at and how she feels about the giant stageshe's finally on.'
Thanks for listening to this episode of the Seen podcast. Liked what you heard? Get early access to these episodes and a ton of other great art content by becoming a member of Seen at seen.art (https://seen.art) . If you want to connect with us between episodes, follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/watchseenart).
Join our free newsletter and become an art insider: https://bit.ly/Seen-Newsletter-Signup
About the Seeing Series
The Seeing Series gets to the heart of what makes an artist tick. By always searching for the motivating truth behind an artist’s practice, we give viewers insider access to some of the most exciting artists in the world, all in a down-to-earth, honest way. From established artists like Rashid Johnson and Mickalene Thomas to emerging stars like Simonette Quamina, we speak to the good and the great of the artworld, ultimately creating an accurate portrait of how creatives survive, flourish and function today.