EXCLUSIVE: Mickalene Thomas Reflects on Family, Community, and Purpose in ‘All About Love’ Video Series – Essence

In a compelling recent video series, artist Mickalene Thomas reflects on her groundbreaking exhibition through a deeply personal lens. Produced by The Broad and distributed by Visuals, the videos feature interviews with Thomas as she explores the central themes of her work. Titled “All About Motherhood,” “All About Community,” and “All About Purpose,” each video is an exploration of the love, representation, and legacy that drive her practice.

Shot by Brandon Bloom and featuring footage of Thomas’ daughter, Junya, the videos provide a behind-the-scenes have a look at how her family’s influence shaped her artistic vision. Junya’s own commentary adds one other layer, offering an intimate perspective on her mother’s powerful representations of black women and their significance in society.

Throughout the series, the New Jersey native shares how her mother fueled her commitment to celebrating BIPOC demographics in museums and why she continues to advocate for Black representation in the art world. Reflecting on the message of the exhibition, she connects her work to the broader context of feminist creator bell hooks, who grounds her art in a transformative means of healing and liberation.

“It’s really about connecting with people,” Thomas said in an excerpt from “All About Community.” “I feel very fortunate that what I do and who I am—not just as a person, but as an artist—acts as a conduit for culture and change. And as I use my creative practice to nurture these ideas of creating impact and inspiration, it’s really important to remember the value of connection. People remember how you make them feel.”

The exhibition includes over 90 works, invites viewers to experience twenty years of the artist’s mastery across media, from painting and collage to photography and installation. The exhibition closes on September 29, making this a necessary time to have interaction with Thomas’s extraordinary statement of family, community, and love.

“All About Family”

“All About Community”

“Everything revolves around the goal”