MILDRED THOMPSON

Mildred (she/her) was born in Jacksonville, Florida, in 1936. Her formal art training began in 1953 at Howard University in Washington, D.C., where she studied under the guidance of James A. Porter. Porter's mentorship led Thompson to a scholarship at the Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture in Maine. After graduating, Thompson dedicated herself to teaching ceramics to fund her travels to Europe. There, she honed her craft at the Art Academy of Hamburg in Germany.

Returning to New York City amid extreme racial adversity, Thompson faced challenges securing gallery representation as a black woman. In 1963, amid heightened racial tensions in the U.S., she chose to return to Germany, where she found success exhibiting and selling her work. While her early work leaned towards figuration, Thompson quickly embraced complete abstraction. Her illustrious career spanned four decades, encompassing painting, drawing, prints, and sculpture, showcasing her profound mastery of color and composition. In 2003, Mildred Thompson passed away in Atlanta, Georgia, leaving behind a legacy of intricate mark-making and vibrant abstractions that continue to inspire.