Mapping the Female Body: Tom Wesselmann and Mickalene Thomas

Mapping the Female Body: Tom Wesselmann and Mickalene Thomas explores how two influential artists have portrayed the female nude and challenged its place in art history. Featuring works by Wesselmann and Thomas, the exhibition brings together different generations and perspectives to reflect on how women’s bodies are represented in visual culture.

Tom Wesselmann created iconic images of the female form during the 1960s and 1970s, a time of cultural change and evolving attitudes around gender and sexuality. His work captures the contradictions of the era, blending glamour with critique and offering complex reflections on beauty, desire, and control.

Mickalene Thomas brings a powerful perspective to the tradition of the nude. A queer woman of color, Thomas represents women of color with strength, beauty, and self-assurance. Her work invites viewers to see these women not as objects, but as confident subjects who hold their own space and agency. Using rhinestones, vibrant color, and layered materials, she draws inspiration from art history and pop culture to celebrate the individuality and presence of her sitters.

This exhibition places both artists in conversation with a broader legacy of female representation, from Renaissance paintings to modern reinterpretations. It also includes historical references and lesser-known works by women artists, encouraging visitors to reflect on how these stories are told and who gets to tell them.

Curated by Christine Vendredi, Chief Curator.