Two generations of artists converge to explore representations of women in art.
A Dialogue Across Time
Mickalene Thomas and Tom Wesselmann come into conversation in an upcoming exhibition at the Palm Springs Art Museum. Drawn from the Collections of Jordan D. Schnitzer and His Family Foundation, The Female Form bridges decades of artistic exploration, highlighting each artist’s impact on depictions of the female nude.
Celebrating the Nude
Wesselmann, a pop art icon, infused his nude paintings with the cultural tensions of the 1960s and ’70s, balancing sensuality and the complexities of gender representation. Thomas, decades later, reclaims the nude through rich mixed-media works that celebrate Black female beauty, sexual identity, and power.
Exhibition Highlights
The showcase features Thomas’ 2025 installation l’espace entre les deux, a two-room immersive environment with plants, lamps, carpets, and furniture made from paper-pulp, collage, and silkscreen. Other standout works include her Din avec la main dans le miroir et jupe rouge (2024) and Wesselmann’s Cut-Out Nude (1965). The exhibition situates both artists within the broader legacy of female representation, from Renaissance classics to contemporary interpretations.
Dates and Location
The Female Form: Tom Wesselmann & Mickalene Thomas will be on view at the Palm Springs Art Museum from November 22, 2025 through April 6, 2026.
