Offsite: Hank Willis Thomas

Internationally recognized artist Hank Willis Thomas works across several disciplines and mediums and has recently created large-scale sculptures and monuments for the public realm. This installation at Offsite will be the first time three of Thomas’ polished stainless-steel sculptures will be exhibited together.

In his wide-ranging conceptual art practice, Thomas explores how contemporary society commodifies race and gender. His works—which span photography, sculpture, installation and more—often reflect on mass media representations and social justice. Originally trained as a photographer, he is interested in how popular imagery from advertisements, mass media and visual media inform cultural attitudes. In using images featuring Black men that circulate widely in popular culture (from Nike ads to political campaign images), the artist encourages the viewer to question commercial representations and cultural stereotypes.

Thomas has increasingly made work for the public realm, creating large-scale outdoor sculptures and monuments. His public sculptures often feature an isolated gesture from a photograph or circulated image, bringing a sense of intimacy to the public sphere. Thomas’ sculptures feature disembodied hand gestures that evoke gestures of protest, care and exaltation.

These works will take on particular resonance at Offsite, where they will be installed adjacent to the public route of protests and political marches in the city. At a time when the roles and relevance of public monuments are being debated, Thomas is creating new monuments for our era.

Offsite is located at 1100 West Georgia Street, between Thurlow and Bute Streets, just west of the Shangri–La Hotel. Directions »