Artist Lovie Olivia Adores Her Signed Mickalene Thomas Monograph Book
What makes a purchase “worth it”? The answer is different for everybody, so we’re asking some of the coolest, most shopping-savvy people we know—from small-business owners to designers, artists, and actors—to tell us the story behind one of their most prized possessions.
Who?
Lovie Olivia is a transdisciplinary artist and native Houstonian whose celebrated visual works are shown in museums and galleries around the world. Her paintings, prints, and sculptural installations are usually centered around being a woman, being Southern, being Black, or a combination of the three themes. “One of those identities is going to be elevated through the process,” she explains.
In addition to crafting aesthetic compositions, Lovie expresses her creativity through food. She and her partner, fellow visual artist Preetika Rajgariah, run an intimate supper club called Two Dykes and a Knife, which combines multi-course meals with critical conversations. The couple hosts their collaborative dinners in innovative spaces throughout Houston, as well as in the backyard of their shared home.
Lovie and Preetika’s house, which they purchased in 2020, is located in a lush and suburban-style neighborhood in the middle of the city. It’s filled with midcentury-modern furniture, potted plants, and decor that represents their individual ethnic backgrounds. Contemporary gems are also in the mix of course. “Because we’re artists, and we’re always collecting new stuff,” Lovie explains. She also moonlights as an interior designer.
What?
Though Lovie’s place is packed with meaningful objects, her most cherished item is a signed Mickalene Thomas book. Not only does the Phaidon monograph with its bold portrait cover look stunning on any surface, but its subject is also one of the couple’s most admired painters. Plus it reminds them of a very special evening. “It has so much sentimental value,” Lovie shares.
When and where?
After over a year of canceled events, Lovie and Preetika were finally able to reunite with their artistic community in December 2021 at Art Basel Miami Beach. During the fair, they viewed impressive exhibits and attended lots of parties, including a Gucci soirée in the Design District where Mickalene was signing books.