Mickalene Thomas is a contemporary African American visual artist celebrated for her intricate paintings that combine rhinestones, acrylic, and enamel. Drawing inspiration from movements such as Impressionism, Cubism, Dada, and the Harlem Renaissance, as well as artists like Chris Ofili, her collage-based works merge elements of Western art history, pop culture, and identity to explore themes of femininity, beauty, race, sexuality, and gender.