Michael Ray Charles
Be Thinc

Be Thinc
Be Thinc
Be Thinc
CultureAmerican
Titles
  • Be Thinc
  • from the series Forever Free
Date1993
PlaceHouston, Texas, United States
MediumAcrylic, dirt, and copper penny on paper
DimensionsSheet: 36 5/8 × 22 in. (93 × 55.9 cm)
Credit LineMuseum purchase funded by the Wilder Foundation
Object number93.251
Non exposé

Explore Further

Provenance Research Ongoing Exhibition History"Texas Contemporary: Acquisitions of the '90s," The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, September 19–November 21, 1993.

"Speaking of Artists: Words and Works from Houston," The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, January 1–July 10, 1994.

"Michael Ray Charles, 1989-1997: An American Artist's Work," Blaffer Gallery, University of Houston, June 7–August 31, 1997; Austin Museum of Art, September 27–December 14, 1997; Contemporary Arts Center, Cincinnati, January 24–March 29, 1998. (LN:97.17).

"African-American Art in the Collection of the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston," The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, February 22–May 9, 2004.

"Statements: African American Art from the Museum's Collection," The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, Millennium Gallery, January 24–September 25, 2016.

"Collectivity," The Museum of Fine Arts Houston, Jan. 8, 2022-Jan. 29, 2023 [Third Installation/Light-Sensitive Rotation: Kinder Building 314: No Catalog]

Inscriptions, Signatures and Marks
Signed in black ink, lower right quadrant: "MICHAEL RAY CHARLES"

Cataloguing data may change with further research.

If you have questions about this work of art or the MFAH Online Collection please contact us.

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Laundry cart contents: purple satin bag; clear, white, and black hangers made from alumilite clear cast resin and galvanized steel wire; six pairs of trousers, one shirt, and two neckties made from various fabrics. Laundry bag with nylon cord, alumilite toggles, fabric, and thread, stuffed with fabric. Palette: wood, nails, glue, wood stain, dirt. Cart: wood frame with woven aluminum strips, 1/8-inch ungalvanized steel rod, clear acrylic spray coating, canvas, thread, vinyl, aluminum rivets, dirt, and newspaper ink. Broom: wood handle and housing with bristles. Floor: linoleum backed with canvas.
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