Staff
The Hayward Gallery is set to captivate art enthusiasts with a dual exhibition featuring Mickalene Thomas and Linder Sterling, running from February 11 to May 5, 2025. This showcase presents a compelling juxtaposition of two pioneering artists, each exploring themes of identity, representation, and feminism through distinct yet complementary lenses.
Mickalene Thomas: All About Love
Renowned for her vibrant portraits, Mickalene Thomas delves into the complexities of Black female identity, beauty, and empowerment. Her exhibition, titled “All About Love,” draws inspiration from the late American author and activist bell hooks, reflecting on the multifaceted nature of love and its manifestations. Thomas’s work is characterized by large-scale paintings adorned with rhinestones, vivid patterns, and rich textures, creating a visual feast that challenges traditional notions of femininity and glamour.
The exhibition features an array of paintings, photographs, collages, and installations, transforming the gallery space with bespoke wallpapers, textiles, and furnishings that evoke the artist’s 1970s upbringing. Visitors can expect to be immersed in environments that blend nostalgia with contemporary commentary, offering a holistic view of Thomas’s artistic journey.
Linder: Danger Came Smiling
In her first London retrospective, Linder Sterling, known mononymously as Linder, presents “Danger Came Smiling,” a comprehensive exploration of her five-decade-long career. Emerging from the punk scene of 1970s Manchester, Linder is celebrated for her provocative photomontages that dissect societal fascinations with the body and its representation.
The exhibition spans from her early works, which juxtapose images from glamour magazines and domestic settings, to contemporary digital montages. Central to Linder’s approach is the use of a medical-grade scalpel, symbolizing both creative and destructive forces, as she examines shifting attitudes toward lifestyles, sexuality, and consumer culture.
The private viewing on February 10, 2025, attracted a constellation of celebrities, art aficionados, and cultural commentators. Notable attendees included fashion icon Alexa Chung, artist Tracey Emin, and musician Jarvis Cocker, each bringing their unique flair to the event. Chung turned heads in a vintage-inspired sequined dress, paying homage to the 1970s aesthetic prevalent in Thomas’s installations. Emin opted for a minimalist black ensemble, allowing the art to take center stage, while Cocker embraced a bold patterned suit, reflecting the eclectic energy of the exhibitions.
The evening was abuzz with discussions about the evocative themes presented. Attendees were particularly struck by Thomas’s immersive installations, with one guest noting, “Walking into her spaces feels like stepping into a different era, yet the messages are profoundly contemporary.” Linder’s photomontages also sparked conversations, especially regarding their relevance in today’s digital age. Early visitors have lauded the exhibitions for their boldness and emotional depth. Social media platforms are awash with praise, with one art enthusiast tweeting, “Mickalene Thomas’s ‘All About Love’ is a visual and emotional masterpiece. A must-see!” Critics have echoed these sentiments, with The Guardian describing Linder’s retrospective as “a well-deserved showcase of a subversive and unrelenting British art hero.”
The Hayward Gallery’s simultaneous presentation of Mickalene Thomas and Linder Sterling offers a rich, immersive experience that challenges and delights. By exploring themes of identity, representation, and societal norms, both exhibitions provide a thought-provoking journey through the lenses of two formidable artists. Art enthusiasts and casual visitors alike are encouraged to witness this unique pairing, which promises to be a highlight of London’s 2025 cultural calendar.
