Isolde Brielmaier

Notes on the Curatorial Process

Hank Willis Thomas’ art consists of more than photographic prints. It is a seemingly recognizable universal language that conveys cultural ideas. His work is also about the ways in which this visual language—specifically that of advertising and logos—is grounded in history, mapped (often literally) on the body, coded in racial and gendered messages and in the valuation of commodities.

How should Hank’s art be presented? This was the question that he and I discussed endlessly over the phone and later in person.

Because of its relationship to marketing and advertising, the dissemination of Hank’s work as both art and idea is crucial to his creative intent. His work is intended to be consumed visually but also quite literally. He wanted his work to be worn, carried, discussed and debated. And the best way to ensure that this would happen was to encourage people to touch his work—the T-shirts, caps and handbags—buy it and then, wear or use it.