Mickalene Thomas’s ode to Black joy

American artist Mickalene Thomas ’s rhinestone-spattered, patterned and vivid paintings, collages and photographs are on display at the Hayward Gallery in London .

Her subject is almost exclusively black women statuesque, afro-haired and often past the first flush of youth.

Thomas gives them poses taken from white female nudes from the canon.

Mickalene Thomas : All About Love Hayward Gallery, London SE1, until 5 May .

Her paintings are given a signature twist by a liberal application of rhinestones.

The riotousness of Thomas ’s paintings means they can be looked at simply as images.

The most affecting work in the show is a four -screen video work in which Eartha Kitt sings “ Angelitos Negros ”.