United States, b. 1976
Overview
I’m interested in finding new ways of revealing things that are kind of latent in a given image (...) I believe that all the content in my work is really about framing and context, is about calling the viewer to think about how their position affects what they see.
The photo conceptual artist, Hank Willis Thomas, is working primarily with themes related to identity, history and popular culture. Through an aesthetic lense, using a familiar language, Thomas addresses issues that are often overlooked in our pop culture-obsessed, consumerist culture.
Biography
© Andrea Blanch
I think images shape the world, because reality is not a fixed thing, it’s a perception, and that perception is shaped by the dominant perspective of the people of power. (...) The ways in which photography shapes these perceptions of the truth is massive, because it’s through these images that we learn and decide who is valuable, whose lives are worth preserving, celebrating, and protecting, and what is important.
Hank Willis Thomas was born in 1976 in New Jersey. He received a BFA in Photography and Africana studies from New York University, NY, and a MFA/MA in Photography and Visual Criticism from the California College of Arts, CA. Thomas is a photo conceptual artist working primarily with themes related to identity, history and popular culture. He employs language and familiar imagery to address issues that are often overlooked in our pop culture-obsessed, consumerist culture. Thomas’ monograph, Pitch Blackness, won the Aperture West Book price. Thomas exhibited throughout the U.S. and abroad, including the International Center of Photography , Studio...
Works
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Hank Willis ThomasOut (green), 2022mixed media including decommissioned prison uniforms151.1 x 186.7 cm
59 1/2 x 73 1/2 in
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Hank Willis ThomasResistance in Black, 2021Nero Marquina Levigato marble56.3 x 11.2 x 15.3 cm
22 1/8 x 4 3/8 x 6 1/8 in
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Hank Willis ThomasEverything we see hides another thing, 2021stainless steel with mirrored finish29.2 x 44.2 cm
11 1/2 x 17 3/8 in
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Hank Willis ThomasNothing But Net, 2020basketball hoop, wooden panel, dibond, screenprinted retro208.3 x 155.6 x 68.3 cm
82 x 61 1/4 x 26 7/8 in
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Hank Willis ThomasVivid Imagination (rainbow on blue), 2019screenprint on retroreflective vinyl mounted on Dibond
unique work86.36 x 121.92 cm
34 x 48 in
Framing Dimensions: 87.8 x 123.5 x 4.5 cm
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Hank Willis ThomasAntwerp, Belgium to Boma, Congo at Dakar, 2019screenprint on retroreflective vinyl mounted on Dibond
unique work106.68 x 243.84 cm
42 x 96 in
Framing Dimensions: 109.4 x 243.8 x 4.5 cm
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Hank Willis ThomasJustice, Peace, Work (Stolen Sword Punctum), 2019polished stainless steel75 x 118 x 60 cm
29 8/16 x 46 7/16 x 23 9/16 in
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Hank Willis ThomasResistance (Leopard Man Punctum), 2019bronze56 x 15.24 x 15.24 cm
22 1/16 x 6 x 6 in
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Hank Willis ThomasWhat you see is what you see (Stella) lr, 2017quilt made out of decommissioned prison uniforms193.35 x 193.35 x 2.9 cm
76 1/16 x 76 1/16 x 1 2/16 in
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Hank Willis ThomasPolaris, 2017mirrored plexi and stained African Mahogany170.815 x 172.72 x 6.985 cm
67 1/4 x 68 x 2 3/4 in
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Hank Willis ThomasOnly women can know how it feels 1988/2015, 2015LightJet print112 x 101.6 cm
44 1/16 x 40 in
Framing Dimensions: 114 x 104 x 4.5 cm
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Hank Willis ThomasRemember me, 2014neon73 x 150 cm
28 11/16 x 59 1/16 in
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Hank Willis ThomasLightsaber (Diamond), 2013colored Plexiglass with stained African mahogany123 x 123 x 6.8 cm
67 3/4 x 67 3/4 x 2 3/4 in
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Hank Willis ThomasAnd One, 2011digital c-print101.6 x 48.26 cm
40 x 19 in
Framing Dimensions: 103.6 x 50.8 x 4.9 cm
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Hank Willis ThomasA Place to Call Home (Africa-America), 2009polished aluminum with enamel coating203 x 168 x 5 cm
79 14/16 x 66 2/16 x 1 15/16 in
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Hank Willis ThomasAfter Identity, What?, 2009aluminum letters on wood and inkjet print152.4 x 76.2 x 5 cm
60 x 30 x 1 15/16 in
Framing Dimensions: 152.4 x 76.2 x 5 cm
Video
Exhibitions
- 30 Years 2 - 31.08.2025Gallery | Knokke KustlaanPUBLIC OPENING August 9, 2025, 11 am – 7 pm Kustlaan 90, Knokke 8300 Thirty years ago, MARUANI MERCIER opened its doors at rue de la Régence with a a...Read more
Group Exhibition
Memory21.03 - 15.04.2024Gallery | BrusselsA cornerstone of our identities, memory is an inexhaustible departure point for artists. Art can encapsulate the essence of fleeting moments and transform the ephemeral nature of memory into a...Read moreCurated by June Sarpong | Saatchi Gallery
Filling in the Pieces in Black31.10 - 26.11.2023Saatchi Gallery | London, UKThe gallery is pleased to present Filling in the Pieces in Black, a group exhibition curated by leading television broadcaster, author, and diversity advocate June Sarpong OBE , featuring works...Read moreCurated by June Sarpong | Brussels
Filling in the Pieces in Black25.10.2023 - 13.01.2024Gallery | BrusselsThe gallery is pleased to present Filling in the Pieces in Black, a group exhibition curated by leading television broadcaster, author, and diversity advocate June Sarpong OBE, featuring works by...Read moreGroup Exhibition
Body & Soul20.06 - 27.08.2022Gallery | BrusselsThrough the works of Nobuyoshi Araki, Francesco Clemente, David LaChapelle, McDermott and McGough, Lyle Ashton Harris, Hank Willis Thomas, Sue Williams, and the artist group Toiletpaper by Maurizio Cattelan and...Read more- Resistance(s)3.06 - 2.07.2021Gallery | BrusselsAfter its success in Knokke, the exhibition Resistance will be presented in our Brussels’ gallery in a new form. While the exhibition in Knokke focused on the black color and...Read more
- Resistance1 - 30.05.2021Gallery | Knokke KustlaanA refined selection of paintings and sculptures celebrating the power of an inspiring and highly symbolic colour: BLACK.Read more
Donnez votre main
Hank Willis Thomas23.04 - 29.06.2019Gallery | BrusselsMARUANI MERCIER Gallery is pleased to present Hank Willis Thomas’ second solo exhibition at the Brussels gallery. Well-known for his interest in the framing and context of history and perspective,...Read more...and the people
Carrie Mae Weems - Hank Willis Thomas5.08 - 4.09.2017Gallery | Knokke KustlaanMARUANI MERCIER is proud to present a group show of American artists Titus Kaphar, Carrie Mae Weems & Hank Willis Thomas. The exhibition will include new and iconic works of...Read moreTo Whom It May Concern
Hank Willis Thomas14.04 - 22.05.2016Gallery | Knokke KustlaanJablonka Maruani Mercier Gallery is proud to present a comprehensive selection of Hank Willis Thomas's body of work for the first time in Belgium. Hank Willis Thomas is a conceptual...Read more
News
Art Fairs
Art Brussels 2022
28.04 - 1.05.2022Founded in 1968, Art Brussels is one of the most renowned contemporary art fairs in Europe and a must-see in the international art calendar. This...Read more
Art Paris 2022
6 - 10.04.2022This year, we will contribute to the fairs' theme 'Art & Environment' with four of our represented artists, who each have a strong connection with...Read more
FIAC 2021
Online Viewing Room20 - 25.10.2021MARUANI MERCIER proposes a selection of established Afro-American artists. Though varied in medium, their art is connected through powerful personal statements that battle historical and...Read more
Art Paris 2021
9 - 12.09.2021MARUANI MERCIER is honoured to present a selection of artworks from young and established artists for the occasion of the 23rd edition of Art Paris...Read more
Art Brussels Week 2021
3 - 6.06.2021For the Art Brussels WEEK, galleries will be open from Thursday 3 June through Sunday 6 June from 11am to 6pm. Our gallery is excited...Read more
FIAC 2021
Online Viewing Room4 - 7.03.2021It's rendez-vous online! Discover a selection of historical and new works of the gallery’s most important and internationally acclaimed artists.Read more
Tefaf Maastricht 2020
7 - 15.03.2020Established in 1988, TEFAF is widely regarded as the world’s pre-eminent fair of art and antiques. TEFAF champions the finest quality art from across the...Read more
ARCO Madrid 2020
20.02 - 1.03.2020ARCOmadrid is the international meeting point for exchange between Europe and Latin America. The fair enjoys the distinction of having been the first fair in...Read more
BRAFA 2020
26.01 - 2.02.2020The Brafa Art Fair , created in 1956, is one of the world’s oldest and most prestigious art fairs, famous for the high quality fine...Read more
Art Brussels 2019
25 - 28.04.2019Though it retains its youthful profile as a discovery fair, Art Brussels is one of Europe’s oldest and most established fairs, running for its 51st...Read more
BRAFA 2019
26.01 - 3.02.2019The Brafa Art Fair, created in 1956, is one of the world’s oldest and most prestigious art fairs, famous for the high quality fine art,...Read more
AKAA 2018
9 - 11.11.2018Let’s rethink the map of the world and place Africa in its center. Then take a pencil and draw routes, across the continent, seas and...Read more
Expo Chicago 2018
Justin Brice Guariglia - George Shaw27 - 30.09.2018We are delighted to participate for the third consecutive year in EXPO Chicago! This year, you can find us both at Booth 120 and at...Read more
Art Brussels 2018
19 - 22.04.2018Though it retains its youthful profile as a discovery fair, Art Brussels is one of Europe’s oldest and most established fairs, celebrating in April 2018...Read more
ARCO Madrid 2018
21 - 25.02.2018ARCOmadrid is the international meeting point for exchange between Europe and Latin America. The fair enjoys the distinction of having been the first fair in...Read more
BRAFA 2018
27.01 - 4.02.2018The Brafa Art Fair, created in 1956, is one of the world’s oldest and most prestigious art fairs, famous for the high quality fine art,...Read more
EXPO Chicago 2017
Ron Gorchov13 - 17.09.2017We are delighted to participate for the second consecutive year in EXPO Chicago. This year, you can find us both at Booth 120 and at...Read more
Art Brussels 2017
21 - 23.04.2017Read more
ARCO Madrid 2017
23 - 25.02.2017Read more
Artgenève 2017
26 - 29.01.2017Read more
BRAFA 2017
21 - 29.01.2017Read more
Paris Photo 2016
10 - 13.11.2016A duo show of Hank Willis Thomas & Lyle Ashton Harris The body of work of Hank Willis Thomas revolves around inequality, racism and perspective....Read more
ART BRUSSELS 2016
21 - 24.04.2016Read more
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