Bob Thompson: This House Is Mine

Bob Thompson (1937–1966) was a visionary African American artist who gained critical acclaim in the late 1950s for his complex and colorful paintings. This book explores his outlier status and his engagements with themes of community, visibility, and justice, positioning him as a predecessor to contemporary artists. It features an array of artwork, poems, and archival materials, and is published in association with the Colby College Museum of Art.

Format: Hardback
Length: 216 pages
Publication date: 27 August 2021
Publisher: Yale University Press

Bob Thompson (1937-1966) emerged as a prominent figure in late 1950s American painting, garnering widespread critical acclaim for his intricate and vibrant figurative artworks. Drawing inspiration from the rich tapestry of Western art history, Thompson crafted a highly personal and expressive artistic language. This comprehensive volume delves into the remarkable yet tragically short-lived transatlantic career of Thompson, exploring his exceptional status and highlighting his unwavering commitment to themes of community, visibility, and justice. By contextualizing the artist's ambitions and unique creative process, the contributors reposition Thompson as a pioneering figure, akin to contemporary artists such as Kerry James Marshall and Kehinde Wiley.

The book is adorned with a diverse array of artwork, alongside previously unpublished poems and archival materials, providing a comprehensive perspective on Thompson's extraordinary output. Situated within ongoing dialogues about the politics of representation, this study situates Thompson's extraordinary body of work within the broader context of contemporary art.

Published in association with the Colby College Museum of Art, the exhibition schedule for this captivating volume spans several venues, including the Colby College Museum of Art in Waterville, ME (July 20, 2021–January 9, 2022), the Smart Museum of Art at The University of Chicago (February 10–May 15, 2022), the High Museum of Art in Atlanta (June 18–September 11, 2022), and the Hammer Museum in Los Angeles (October 9, 2022–January 8, 2023).

Weight: 1012g
Dimension: 219 x 273 x 26 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780300253368