Hank Willis Thomas
Hank Willis Thomas (USA, 1976) is a conceptual artist whose work interrogates themes of identity, race, and consumerism. Utilizing photography, sculpture, and public art, he recontextualizes cultural symbols to provoke dialogue about history and social justice. His 'For Freedoms' project reimagines civic engagement through art, fostering community activism.

What is appropriation?
Appropriation in art involves using pre-existing images or objects with little or no modification. This technique has played a significant role across various art forms, including visual arts, music, performance, and literature. In visual arts, appropriation refers to the practice of adopting, sampling, recycling, or borrowing elements—or even entire forms—of existing visual culture, integrating them into new works to create meaning or critique.