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
Not on view

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.

Michael Ray Charles
1993
Acrylic and copper penny on paper
2004.1470
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Michael Ray Charles
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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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