Marlene Dumas

is a visual artist. An important part of her work consists of drawings and watercolours, predominantly figures and portraits. Through her work Marlene Dumas is able to deliver a sentient commentary on role patterns and social relations that have become habitual. With the "Black Drawings" (1991-92), which consist of 111 individual portraits, Dumas enters into a discourse about stereotyped racial classification and skin colour, that leaves no room for the appreciation of the individual. The series "Defining in the Negative" (1988) and "Strong Works" (1990) are a comment on traditional roles given to women, such as a model, muse or lover. Also the role of mother and sexuality are subjects for many of her drawings. The work of Marlene Dumas is often characterized by a combination of directness and intimacy. Her most recent work consist of a series of portraits of blindfolded Palestinian men and is a reaction to the situation in the Middle East.