Racquel Chevremont, model, curator real housewives of new york star, has filed a lawsuit against her ex-lover, artist Mikalyn Thomas, whom she has accused of harassing him over the summer.
Vermont previously accused Thomas of creating an “abusive work environment” in a legal filing in August. But the allegations, which are largely unspecified in the three-page document, are significantly expanded upon in Chevremont’s 31-page lawsuit. The lawsuit was filed in New York State Supreme Court on Monday.
It centers on the working relationship between Che Vermont and Thomas, known for his images of black women in poses that both recall and subvert the conventions of Old Master painting. Thomas’s paintings, often inlaid with rhinestones, have been widely exhibited, most notably in a 2012 Brooklyn Museum survey.
Shay Vermont appeared as a model in some of Thomas’s most famous works. A painting by Thomas with a Vermont theme sold for $1.83 million.
The two began dating in 2011, and Che Vermont assisted Thomas in promoting the show and helping with post-production photo shoots, the lawsuit states. Their relationship became the subject of glossy magazine profiles and widespread attention.
While CheVermont’s lawsuit doesn’t state the exact date she and Thomas broke up, it does indicate that tensions began to arise in their relationship in late 2020, when CheVermont “began to expose Ms. Thomas’s lies and exploitation of her.” Their relationship was not known to the public until 2022. new york post The article revealed their separation. 2021 new york times Magazine Thomas’ profile indicates the two are still together.
“Mikalyn is a world-renowned artist who is the sole author and architect of her decades-long success,” a spokesperson for the artist said in a statement. art news. “The accusations made by her ex-girlfriend are completely false and are a desperate attempt to maintain her influence and profit from Mikalyn’s hard-earned reputation, career achievements and legacy. We will deal with this thoughtless and petty exploitation in the courts.”
Chevrolet, through a representative, declined further comment.
“The benefits of their cooperation”
Much of the lawsuit revolves around how Chevremont and Thomas dealt with MT Special Projects, a company also known as Deux Femmes Noires. The company prefers to view media as a curation platform, W Magazine The profile has been described as being dedicated to “lesser-known artists (particularly those who are women of color).” Deux Femmes Noires organized presentations for the Parrish Art Museum and Volta Art Fair.
In fact, the lawsuit states that one of the company’s primary functions is to ensure that Thomas and Chevrolet “share equally in the benefits of the partnership.” According to the lawsuit, both men own 50% of the company, which owns the Chevrolet photos Thomas took. The artist allegedly “insisted” that her Chevy Vermont painting be owned by another company for “marketing and logistical reasons.”
“However,” the lawsuit states, “Ms. Thomas agreed that Ms. Vermont would receive a portion of the sales proceeds.” This is consistent with the 2022 Art Network News Reporting on the inner workings of Thomas Studio. The report includes images of a document that appears to show significant cuts in sales of art featuring Thomas at Chevrolet. (Thomas’ rep told art network The document is “outdated”. )
But that wasn’t the case, according to the lawsuit, even though Chevremont took a larger role behind the scenes sometime around 2018. “Over the years, Ms. Thomas paid herself substantial sums while refusing to promise compensation to Ms. Chevremont,” the lawsuit states.
As an example, the lawsuit cites a 2021 agreement with the collecting giant Mugrabi family, which allegedly sought to pay Thomas to create new paintings. The deal is said to have started at $2.25 million for 40 paintings, and Chevremont was asked to renegotiate the terms. After working with Jose Mugrabi and dealer Dominic Levy on a new, more expensive deal, Thomas offered to pay Chevrolet $2 million. (art news Thomas never gave Che Vermont the money, the lawsuit says.
‘Escalating abuse’ and retaliation claims
The lawsuit also details Che Vermont’s previous harassment claims and now includes a new allegation of what the suit calls “escalating acts of abuse — emotional and ultimately physical.”
The lawsuit alleges that Thomas “sent CheVermont unsolicited romantic advances via text messages, even though their professional relationship had transitioned to a strictly business basis” and made CheVermont feel “uncomfortable and unsafe at work.” Chevermont also claimed that she “caught Ms. Thomas searching her purse and cellphone in the studio without her consent.”
The filing also includes a new allegation of sexual harassment, claiming Thomas “insisted they have adjoining rooms” while traveling for business in 2021. CheVermont refused the arrangement, the lawsuit said, then noted that Thomas “entered Ms. CheVermont’s adjoining hotel room without consent while Ms. CheVermont was taking a shower.” Chevermont claimed she could not complain to the human resources department at Thomas Studios because there was no human resources department there.
Thomas allegedly fired Chevermont in 2022 and then engaged in what the lawsuit calls “an act of retaliation.” One example allegedly involves Thomas’ collaboration with New York print gallery Brand X Editions. It is said that Thomas and Che Vermont’s company has begun cooperation negotiations with Brand X worth $4 million. Thomas vetoed the agreement and canceled the contract. (A Brand X spokesperson did not respond to a request for comment.)
The lawsuit also revealed that Chevremont owns works by Kara Walker, Tschabalala Self, Titus Kaphar, Hank Willis Thomas and Lynette Yiadom-Boakye. Chefremont alleges that the works (which are not named in the lawsuit) were in the custody of Thomas, who “threatened” Chefremont after she tried to repossess them. A year and a half later, Chevremont did just that.
Chevrolet is currently seeking trial and seeking millions of dollars in damages.
