Description:

Raymond A. Thomas (American/Chicago, b. 1966), "Conversion of Mary Magdalene", 2012, acrylic on gallery-wrapped canvas, initialed and dated lower right, 68 in. x 125 in., unframed . Provenance: Collection of Ti-Rock Moore, New Orleans. Exh.: "Son of Man Book II: A reVision of the Christ", South Side Art Center, Chicago, IL, Oct. 2012. Note: Raymond Thomas received his degree from the prestigious School of the Art Institute of Chicago. A man of many talents in addition to being an accomplished painter, he served as creative manager for Johnson Publishing Co. and Ebony Magazine, art teacher, award winning filmmaker and screen writer, board member of The South Side Community Arts Center of Chicago and is currently creative director of the Jazz Institute of Chicago. He also has a lifelong mission mentoring the youth of Chicago. Thomas’ strongest artistic inspirations were the collage work of Romare Bearden and the Black Arts Movement of the 1960s and 1970s. Both of these influences can be seen in his three-part exhibition “Son Of Man: A reVision of the Christ,” of which the painting offered here was a centerpiece. Thomas’ intent with the series was to bring a modern interpretation to the story of the Christ by fusing Jazz-inspired spontaneity and structure. In referring to the series as a whole, journalist Lynn Norment wrote of Thomas' painting as: “…works that dare to strip away dogma and challenge perceptions of the image and personage of Christ." “The Conversion of Mary Magdalen” won both Best Painting and Best in Show at the Black Creativity Exhibition held at the Museum of Science and Industry in Chicago and was exhibited in several Chicago area galleries. Thomas describes his approach to art as “an ongoing exploration for the truth and enlightenment, motivated by an unwavering devotion to craft and culture.” Ref.: Thomas, Raymond. “Artist Statement”. Raymond Thomas Studios. www.raymondthomasstudios.com. Accessed May 20, 2019. Neal Auction Company would like to thank Gallery Guichard for their assistance with this note.

  • Condition: All lots are sold “As is” and “Where is”. Neal Auction provides condition reports on items with a low estimate over $500 as a courtesy to aid in your bidding decision. No statement regarding age, condition, kind, value, or quality of a lot, whether made orally at the auction or at any other time, or in writing in this catalogue or elsewhere, shall be construed to be an express or implied warranty, representation, or assumption of liability. Completed condition reports are posted as an additional image with the lot. Neal Auction does not give refunds.

Shipping Options

Invaluable Shipping

  • Expert Care packing and Shipping
  • Shipment Protection
  • Real-time tracking

Arrange your own

  • You will coordinate with us to arrange your own shipping

Local pickup

  • You will coordinate with us and arrange pick up time after payment.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

June 23, 2019 11:00 AM CDT
New Orleans, LA, US

Neal Auction Company

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 28% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $2,999 $100
$3,000 $9,999 $250
$10,000 $49,999 $500
$50,000 $999,999 $5,000
$1,000,000 $1,999,999 $10,000
$2,000,000 $2,999,999 $15,000
$3,000,000 + $20,000