Mickalene Thomas’s former fiancée and business partner has accused the contemporary artist of sexual harassment, nonpayment, and workplace retaliation in a lawsuit filed in New York State Supreme Court on August 8.
Racquel Chevremont is seeking at least $10 million, as well as interest and attorneys’ fees, in “redress for years of exploitation, nonpayment, and unlawful conduct,” according to court filings reviewed by Hyperallergic.
Chevremont, an art consultant, curator, and Real Housewives of New York contestant, worked as an advisor and liaison for Thomas’s studio from 2012 to 2022, and maintained a personal relationship with the artist that ended in 2020. In a summons, Chevremont alleged that Thomas withheld millions of dollars in payments for over a decade.
Thomas also “improperly pressured Ms. Chevremont to resume their romantic relationship” after they broke up, the lawsuit claims. When the latter refused, Thomas allegedly retaliated against her by terminating her employment in violation of New York human rights and labor laws.
The lawsuit, first reported by the British online newspaper the Independent, is directed at the artist and her business entity, Mickalene Thomas LLC. Hyperallergic has contacted Thomas’s studio and representing galleries as well as Chevremont’s attorneys for comment.
Thomas is known for large-scale paintings that typically depict Black women, incorporating rhinestones and other mixed-media elements to build up the canvases. Among these is a 2016 portrait of Chevremont, “Racquel Reclining Wearing Purple Jumpsuit” (2016), that sold for $1.8 million at a Christie’s evening sale in 2021.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.