Marlene Dumas' individual figures...

12:00 a.m.

08/13/18 - Marlene Dumas (South Africa, 1953) is presenting at the David Zwirner Gallery some portraits and several other images. Among them, the large painting of a kneeled woman next to her bed deserves the winner prize. At first, it seems like she is being abused. But as we draw near we see that her own arms are placed in this strange position, as if trying to choke herself.

Struck, by Marlene Dumas (2017)

Technique: oil on canvas / Measures: 175 x 87 cm

Struck, by Marlene Dumas (2017) - Detail

Technique: oil on canvas / Measures: 175 x 87 cm

In another room we find the portrait of a bride, with her face covered by a veil. Her face looks darkened, maybe because of the influence of Dumas' home country and the experience of Apartheid. The image is weird, ambiguous. We wonder if her face is dark or her expression is darkened by the veil that covers her almost completely.

Bride, by Marlene Dumas (2018)

Technique: oil on canvas / Measures: 300 x 100 cm

Anonymous eyes and close-ups on certain body features create a Contemporary approach on the portrait, mainly showing suffered faces.

Lips, by Marlene Dumas (2018)

Technique: oil on canvas / Measures: 30 x 24 cm

Eye, by Marlene Dumas (2018)

Technique: oil on canvas / Measures: 40 x 50 cm

Eye, de Marlene Dumas (2018) - detail

Technique: oil on canvas / Measures: 40 x 50 cm

Most of the paintings show naked male and female bodies, which makes this exhibition highly erotic. Finally, let's mention an artwork dedicated to the window through which we see the world today: our cell phone. The figure is placed in such a way that her hands could be ours. An allusion to our reality in a small canvas with an experimental use of color.