Presented at the Grand Palais, All About Love by Mickalene Thomas offers a layered and structured immersion into the work of one of the most influential figures in contemporary art today. Through a carefully curated selection of works, the exhibition explores questions of representation, intimacy, and the construction of the gaze within Western art history.
Rather than relying on spectacle, All About Love situates itself within a broader cultural reflection, addressing how bodies, identities, and narratives long marginalised are gradually being reintroduced into institutional spaces, while leaving room for individual interpretation.
An exhibition conceived as a narrative
ll About Love is not presented as a traditional retrospective. Instead, the exhibition unfolds as a progressive narrative, with each room responding to the previous one. Paintings, collages, photographs, and installations form a coherent visual sequence marked by bold compositions, layered textures, and a distinctive aesthetic language.
Explanatory texts are deliberately restrained. Rather than guiding visitors toward a single interpretation, the exhibition encourages attentive observation and personal engagement. This approach allows each work to function both independently and as part of a larger visual dialogue.
Representation and the question of the gaze
At the core of Mickalene Thomas’s practice lies a sustained interrogation of how certain bodies have historically been represented—or excluded—from dominant artistic narratives. In All About Love, this issue is addressed without overt didacticism, through the recurring presence of self-assured female figures who occupy the pictorial space with authority.
The exhibition subtly reverses traditional viewing dynamics: the spectator is no longer a passive observer but is confronted by works that seem to return the gaze. This sustained visual tension becomes a defining feature of the visitor’s experience.
182.9 × 213.4 cm © 2025 Mickalene Thomas / ADAGP, Paris
Love as a conceptual framework
The title All About Love does not refer to love as a purely sentimental or romantic notion. Instead, it functions as a conceptual framework through which relationships—to oneself, to others, and to cultural history—are examined.
In this context, love emerges as a relational space rather than an isolated emotion. The exhibition suggests that intimacy and broader social questions are not mutually exclusive, but can coexist within a single aesthetic experience.
Key works and exhibition design
Several emblematic works structure the exhibition, notably through their scale and placement within the galleries. The interplay of materials, references to art history, design, and popular culture creates multiple levels of interpretation.
In this continuity, some works assert a strong physical presence, while others invite quieter, more contemplative viewing. This alternation contributes to a balanced rhythm throughout the exhibition, preventing visual saturation and encouraging sustained attention.
An accessible exhibition without simplification
One of the notable strengths of All About Love lies in its accessibility. The exhibition does not require prior knowledge of contemporary art, yet offers multiple layers of reading for more experienced audiences.
Wall texts accompany the works without imposing fixed interpretations. This relative neutrality enhances the quality of the visitor experience by preserving interpretative freedom.
A reflection of a broader institutional evolution
Presented within a major cultural institution such as the Grand Palais, All About Love reflects a broader shift in how museums and exhibition spaces approach artistic narratives today. Without adopting an explicitly activist stance, the exhibition aligns with ongoing efforts to broaden perspectives while maintaining continuity with institutional frameworks.
In this context, it can be seen as part of a gradual evolution in cultural programming, seeking to expand representation without rupturing historical structures.
Practical information
- Venue : Grand Palais, Paris
- Exhibition : All About Love – Mickalene Thomas
- Dates : December 17 to February 5, 2026
- Average visit duration : Approximately 1 to 1.5 hours
Support independent publishing! Subscribe to ART MAG and receive each issue in advance, in both print and digital format
👉 Subcribe 6 issues / 1 year
FAQ
It is a major exhibition dedicated to the work of American artist Mickalene Thomas, exploring love, identity, and the representation of Black women through vibrant mixed-media artworks.
The exhibition runs from December 17, 2025 to April 5, 2026 at the Grand Palais in Paris.
he show includes major works such as A Moment’s Pleasure #2, Sleep: Deux femmes noires, Untitled #10, Afro Goddess Looking Forward, Guernica Detail (Resist #7), and Clarivel Face Forward Gazing.
Because it highlights one of the most influential voices in contemporary art, combining political, cultural, and aesthetic impact in an immersive and visually striking experience.
Tickets will be available on the official Grand Palais website and through partner ticketing platforms.
Yes. The exhibition is designed to be approachable for general audiences while offering deeper interpretive layers for informed visitors.
The exhibition addresses contemporary societal themes but does so through suggestion rather than prescriptive discourse.
Most visitors spend between one hour and ninety minutes, depending on their level of engagement with the works.