Artist Mickalene Thomas has been accused in a legal filing of fostering an abusive work environment and mismanaging funds involving her former romantic partner Racquel Chevremont. Chevremont, a model, curator, and reality TV star, filed a summons in the Supreme Court of the State of New York on August 8, alleging she was not properly compensated for work done for Thomas, that Thomas diverted significant funds and business opportunities, and that she subjected Chevremont to quid pro quo harassment and a hostile work environment. The summons states their romantic relationship ended in 2020 but their professional ties remained strained, and Chevremont is seeking $10 million in damages.
This case matters because it involves two prominent figures in the contemporary art world—Thomas, a celebrated artist with a major Brooklyn Museum survey, and Chevremont, a curator and co-founder of the platform Deux Femmes Noires—and highlights issues of power dynamics, financial misconduct, and harassment within artist-studio and personal relationships. The allegations could have reputational and legal consequences for Thomas and her studio, and may spark broader conversations about accountability and labor practices in the art world.