Hank Willis Thomas
From The Art and Popular Culture Encyclopedia
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Hank Willis Thomas (born 1976 in Plainfield, New Jersey; lives and works in Brooklyn, NY) is an American conceptual artist working primarily with themes related to identity, history, and popular culture.
Accusations of plagiarism
In 2018, Thomas was accused of plagiarism by South African photographer Graeme Williams. A photograph that Williams took in 1990 of black children in the foreground and white policemen in the background was modified by Thomas, removing colour from the background. The photograph was exhibited at the Johannesburg Art Fair, with an asking price of US$36000, without attribution or mention of Williams. Thomas defended himself saying that what he had done was "akin to sampling, remixing".
In a separate case, South African photographer, Peter Magubane, who has photo-documented life in South Africa for six decades, discovered that Thomas had also altered one of his photos, similarly putting "a white fade over the background", without seeking permission from Magubane. Thomas defended his actions, saying that asking permission to use the photograph was a form of censorship. Magubane responded that Thomas' actions was arrogant, shameful and disrespectful.
