Marlene Dumas

Description

This text features the artist Marlene Dumas commenting through her work on the state of painting today. She asks the question - what does it mean to be a woman working within the predominantly male genre of expressionist art? The artist often chooses women, children and infants as her subject matter, examining the relation between art and female beauty. The authors then analyze Dumas's work, with subjects such as: the development of Dumas's work in relation to the legacies of European painting; questions contemporary women artists are asked; and a look at the artist's painting "Josephine", reflecting on the iconic legacy of Josephine Baker. The book also features selections from Dumas's writings, including texts on her own work, meditations on love, religion and politics, and a discussion of Goya's painting "The Fates". The book is part of a series of studies of important artists of the late-20th century. Each title offers a comprehensive survey of the artist's work, providing analyses and multiple perspectives on contemporary art and its inspiration.

Dominic van den Boogerd is a writer on contemporary art. From 1993 to 1995 he was Chief Editor of the Dutch art magazine Metropolis M and is currently Director of de Ateliers international artists institute in Amsterdam. He is a regular contributor to several international art journals. Barbara Bloom is a New York-based artist whose international exhibitions include the Venice Biennale (1988), the Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles (1998), the International Center of Photography, New York (2006) and Martin-Gropius-Bau, Berlin (2006). Her artist's books include Ghost Writer (1988), The Reign of Narcissism (1990) and The Collections of Barbara Bloom (2006). Mariuccia Casadio is a freelance writer on contemporary art, fashion and design. Formerly Editor of Vogue Italia, Milan (1986 90) and Editor-at-Large of Interview, New York (1990 93), at present she contributes regularly to Vogue Italia and L Uomo Vogue.

'The boldest, best executed, and most far-reaching publishing project devoted to contemporary art. These books will revolutionize the way contemporary art is presented and written about.' (Artforum) 'The combination of intelligent analysis, personal insight, useful facts and plentiful pictures is a superb format invaluable for specialists but also interesting for casual readers, it makes these books a must for the library of anyone who cares about contemporary art.' (Time Out) 'A unique series of informative monographs on individual artists.' (The Sunday Times) 'Gives the reader the impression of a personal encounter with the artists. Apart from the writing which is lucid and illuminating, it is undoubtedly the wealth of lavish illustrations which makes looking at these books a satisfying entertainment.' (The Art Book)