Artist Mickalene Thomas accused of Copyright Infringement by Photographer Barbara Karant
12July 10, 2026
Mickalene Thomas, known for her paintings and photo-based collages, is being sued by photographerBarbara Karantfor alleged copyright infringement. The suit, filed in Illinois’ federal district court in May, alleges that Thomas appropriated Karant’s images without attribution or consent, according to court documents obtained byHyperallergic.
“In installation after installation, and in collage after collage, Thomas has engaged in the wholesale copying of copyrighted works from a fellow artist,” the lawsuit states.
At the center of the case is Karant’s 820 Ebony/Jet (2013–15) series, containing 250 images taken at the Johnson Publishing Company in Chicago, which, until 2019, was one of the largest African-American media companies in America. The company owned the publications Ebony and Jet until 2016. Karant photographed the building’s vacant interiors for the series, which she completed in 2015. The suit alleges that Thomas’ 2024 exhibition All About Love incorporated Karant’s photos without due attribution. Related Mickalene Thomas David Odo to Lead Honolulu Museum of Art
Karant is set to publish her photobook 820 Ebony/Jet: Visions of the Johnson Publishing Company, an American Icon later this year. According to Hyperallergic, the suit states that Thomas’ exhibition puts the sales of the forthcoming book at risk.
Mickalene Thomas makes collages using acrylics, enamel, and rhinestones—often based in photography. Frequently incorporating African American women as her subjects, her paintings and collages center around race, femininity, and memory.
It is the second active suit against Thomas within the last year. Hyperallergic has reported that her former business partner and fiancée, Racquel Chevremont, accused Thomas of harassment and nonpayment, seeking $14.2 million in damages. Thomas has denied the allegations.