Black and white drawing of a mugshot portrait

Lava Thomas

Lava Thomas tackles issues of race, gender, representation and memorialization through a multidisciplinary practice that spans drawing, painting, photography, sculpture, and site-specific installations. Drawing from her family’s Southern roots, current socio-political events, intersectional feminism and African American protest and devotional traditions, Thomas’s practice centers ideas that amplify visibility, healing, and empowerment in the face of erasure, trauma and oppression.

Watch
"Making a Monument: Portrait of a Phenomenal Woman" San Francisco Arts Commission, October 11, 2024

Selected Work

Artist News

Group Exhibition

“Reunited,” CCA Campus Gallery

On view April 2-May 17
Opening Reception
April 2, 5-7 pm

Reunited is a group exhibition organized by Jaime Austin, director of Exhibitions and Public Programming, that unites Bay Area artists from the National Museum of Women in the Arts’ (NMWA) Women to Watch program. The exhibition features work by acclaimed artists Sofía Córdova, Julia Goodman, Nicki Green, Rhonda Holberton, Cathy Lu, Adia Millett, Sandra Ono, Genevieve Quick, Davina Semo, Amy Tavern, Lava Thomas, and Katherine Vetne — twelve women whose creative careers have been driven by resilience, artistic excellence, and collective support.
Public Monument

Lava Thomas’ monument honoring Dr. Maya Angelou is permanently installed at the SF Main Library

Black and white drawing of a mugshot portrait
Group Exhibitions – Ongoing

“Dwelling: New Acquisitions,” Cantor Arts Center

“Reckoning: Protest. Defiance. Resilience.” Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture

Catalog

Watch

"LAVA THOMAS: Homecoming," Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts, April 9 - July 4, 2022
In Conversation: Lava Thomas + Hung Liu, October 9, 2020

Mailing List Signup

Make an appointment

We are located at:
1275 Minnesota Street
San Francisco, CA 94107

Click for map + directions

Not seeing a time that works for you? Feel free to email us for alternates: jenny@renabranstengallery.com

Inquiry

To leave a comment for the gallery, fill out the form below.