Mickalene Thomas

Against Time

Client:
Mickalene Thomas

Team:
Gil Cocker
Matt Divita
Russell Clayton


Mickalene Thomas is a powerhouse in the art world, known for her bold paintings, collages, photography, video, and installations. She draws from art history and pop culture to create fresh, contemporary takes on female sexuality, beauty, and power—challenging traditional depictions and celebrating Black femininity with a vibrancy that’s unmistakably her own.
        We’ve had the pleasure of working closely with Mickalene and her studio, developing the visual identity not just for her work as an artist, but also for her various partnerships, collaborations, and her store. Our partnership includes exhibition graphics, and we’re currently revamping her web presence to keep pace with her evolving projects.
        In 2022, Mickalene teamed up with Against Time to launch Mickalene Thomas Studio, a creative hub for her projects, collaborations, and commissions. This project was about more than just branding a studio—it was about creating a visual language that speaks for Mickalene herself. We needed to ensure the branding for the studio and Mickalene as an artist worked together seamlessly while still allowing room for contrast. It was about striking the right balance between consistency and individuality.
        Mickalene Thomas Studio has become a space for Mickalene to collaborate with brands, artists, and other creatives, amplifying her work and messages in ways that resonate far beyond the art world. It’s a place for collaboration, play, and disruption—a platform where creativity is free to push boundaries. As Mickalene put it:
        We captured that energy in the branding—light, warm, calm, but also feminine, sophisticated, and sexy. The typography is large and expressive, paired with a subtle black and off-white colour scheme, creating a look that’s bold yet elegant. Mickalene Thomas Studio is more than a space—it’s a creative force, a place where ideas come to life and disrupt the status quo.