Famous Artist #29

HANK WILLIS THOMAS

American artist known for his provocative and thought-provoking work that explores themes of race, identity, and the media. Through a variety of mediums, including photography, sculpture, and video, Thomas seeks to challenge societal norms and spark dialogue about important social issues.

One of Thomas's most well-known projects is "Branding the Negro," a series of photographs that explores the way black people have been marketed and commodified throughout history. By appropriating images from advertising and popular culture, Thomas exposes the ways in which black bodies have been used to sell products and ideas, often in dehumanizing and objectifying ways.

In addition to his photographic work, Thomas has also created a number of sculptures that explore similar themes. "Liberty and Justice (for All)," for example, is a series of bronzed basketball hoops that are mounted on pedestals, drawing attention to the ways in which sports have been used as a means of promoting racial equality.

Thomas's work has been exhibited in galleries and museums around the world, and he has received numerous accolades for his contributions to the art world. Through his thought-provoking and often challenging work, Thomas continues to push the boundaries of contemporary art and inspire others to engage with important social issues.

Famous Photographer #27

RICHARD MOSSE

Irish photographer known for his provocative and thought-provoking images that challenge the way we view the world. His most notable project, "The Enclave," is a series of large-scale photographs that depict the conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo using a specialized infrared film.

Mosse's use of infrared film, which is typically used to detect heat signatures, creates a surreal and otherworldly aesthetic that challenges our preconceived notions of war photography. The vibrant pink hues of the images are both striking and disorienting, forcing the viewer to question their own perception of the scenes depicted.

In "The Enclave," Mosse documents the lives of those caught in the midst of the ongoing conflict, capturing both the violence and the resilience of the Congolese people. Through his use of infrared film, he also highlights the invisible forces at play, such as the exploitation of natural resources and the role of international powers in the conflict.

Mosse's work has been widely exhibited and has garnered numerous accolades, including the Deutsche Börse Photography Prize and the International Center of Photography Infinity Award. Despite the controversy that often surrounds his work, Mosse remains committed to using photography as a means of sparking dialogue and challenging our perceptions of the world.

Famous Artist #28

NINA CHANEL ABNEY

American artist known for her bold, colorful paintings that often explore themes of race, gender, and politics. Born in Chicago, Illinois in 1982, Abney grew up with a passion for art and began creating her own paintings and drawings at a young age. She studied art at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and later at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, where she earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree.

Abney's career as an artist took off in the early 2000s, when she began to gain recognition for her bold, colorful paintings that often featured figures and imagery from popular culture. She became known for her expressive, energetic style and her ability to convey complex ideas and emotions through her art.

Over the years, Abney's work has continued to evolve and she has become known for her powerful, thought-provoking paintings that often explore themes of race, gender, and politics. She incorporates a wide range of influences and techniques in her work, and her paintings often challenge viewers to think about the world around them in new and unexpected ways.

Today, Abney is widely regarded as one of the most important and influential artists of her generation. Her work has been exhibited in galleries and museums around the world and has been the subject of numerous books and articles. She continues to create bold, powerful paintings that engage and inspire viewers.

Famous Photographer #30

Martin Parr

British photographer known for his bold, colorful images that often explore themes of consumerism, tourism, and national identity. Born in Epsom, England in 1952, Parr grew up with a passion for photography and began taking pictures at a young age. He studied photography at Manchester Polytechnic and later at the Royal College of Art, where he earned a Master of Arts degree in photography.

Parr's career as a photographer took off in the 1980s, when he began to gain recognition for his humorous, satirical images that often explored the themes of consumerism and the British way of life. He became known for his bold, colorful style and his keen eye for detail, and his work quickly gained a following among critics and collectors alike.

Over the years, Parr has continued to push the boundaries of photography, exploring a wide range of subjects and themes in his work. He has documented everything from the British seaside to the streets of Tokyo, and his images often challenge viewers to think about the world around them in new and unexpected ways.

Today, Parr is widely regarded as one of the most important and influential photographers of his generation. His work has been exhibited in galleries and museums around the world and has been the subject of numerous books and articles. He continues to create thought-provoking, challenging images that engage and inspire viewers.

Famous Photographer #29

Mary Ellen Mark

American photographer known for her striking, evocative images that often explored themes of marginalization and social injustice. Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1940, Mark grew up with a passion for photography and began taking pictures at a young age. She studied photography at the University of Pennsylvania and later at the Annenberg School for Communication, where she earned a Master of Science degree in photojournalism.

After graduating, Mark began working as a photojournalist, traveling the world to cover a wide range of social and political issues. She quickly gained a reputation for her powerful, empathetic images that shed light on the lives of people on the fringes of society. She worked extensively in India and other parts of Asia, documenting the lives of people living in extreme poverty and documenting the effects of war and conflict.

In addition to her work as a photojournalist, Mark also produced a number of notable photo essays and books that explored the lives of marginalized people around the world. She became known for her compassionate, intimate portraits that gave voice to people who were often overlooked by mainstream society.

Throughout her career, Mark's work was exhibited in galleries and museums around the world and was the subject of numerous books and articles. She was widely regarded as one of the most important and influential photographers of her generation, and her work continues to inspire and challenge viewers today. She passed away in 2015 at the age of 75.