CORY REYNOLDS | DATE 2/16/2016

Muse: Mickalene Thomas

"The moment I started photographing my mother was the moment my work completely changed," Mickalene Thomas is quoted in Aperture's stellar new release collecting the artist's photographic portraits, self-portraits and collage works. Vivid, sensual and direct, this long-awaited monograph/artist's book features die-cut pages designed to highlight certain details of the artworks on either side and a zine-like newsprint insert with works by artists who have inspired Thomas' practice—from Latoya Ruby Frazier to Malick Sidibé to Carrie Mae Weems, who contributes an interview. Featured photograph, of Thomas' mother and most important muse, is "Sandra: She's a Beauty #2" (2012).