Marlene Dumas, a South African-born artist based in the Netherlands, is recognized for her emotionally charged and politically engaging paintings that explore themes of identity, sexuality, and the human condition. Her work often begins with photographs from which she creates intense, existential reflections on her subjects.

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Dumas has worked with a variety of source materials, from contemporary media stories to art historical references and celebrities, often zooming in on images to highlight and transform their key qualities. Her portraits, which can be divided into categories such as the living and the dead or the anonymous and famous, are marked by a gloomy, washed-out palette. She maintains extensive folders of source material, reflecting her interest in a wide range of subjects and her aim to place people on equal footing, regardless of their status or notoriety.

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Her significant contributions to contemporary art have been recognized internationally, with her works exhibited in major venues and part of important collections around the world. Dumas challenges viewers to confront complex emotions and controversial topics, using art as a means to provoke thought and dialogue on universal experiences and societal issues.

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