Sweet Nothings

Back of the Book

From the beginning, language has played an important role in the work of Marlene Dumas. Her earliest collages make use of text, and she often writes poetical monikers or captions directly onto her drawings, such as "The Eyes of the Night Creatures" or "Miss Interpreted." Over the last 30 years, the artist has written texts ranging from aphorisms, statements and short poetic pieces to longer analytical essays. Her writing focuses on her own work, discussing its subject matter, its politics, background and source material, as well as its critical reception and her own cultural position as an artist. "I am always 'not from here,'" she writes in one text (a poem), "even though I try to know / or understand 'what's going on' and / what the rules are and how they / keep on changing and what that means. / When looking at images I'm not lost, / but I'm uneasy." Sweet Nothings, originally published in a long out-of-print (and rare) Dutch edition in 1998 and now revised and expanded, provides a selection of her best and most representative writings from 1982–2014.

We Love It Because

Dumas’s lucid reflections on the process of art-making and the role of the artist as assertive observer and maker of objects through their insular experience of time and reality foretell contemporary meditative memoirs and genre-bending writing on the process of creation. For fans of Maggie Nelson, John Berger, Susan Sontag, and generally mindful creation—Dumas lights the way to a deeply felt and closely observed terrain for the self-aware artist.

Memorable Passage

Artwork is not synonymous to intention. It is peculiar that although almost everybody says artworks don't give answers, they seem to be sure that a good work asks questions. It sounds like the other side of the same coin to me.

About the Author

Marlene Dumas, born in 1953 in South Africa, is a renowned contemporary artist and writer whose work has had a profound impact on the world of visual arts. Primarily known for her provocative and emotionally charged paintings, Dumas often explores themes of identity, sexuality, and the human condition. Her art is characterized by a distinctive blend of realism and abstraction, capturing the complexities of the subjects she portrays. Dumas's ability to convey intense emotions and confront societal taboos through her art has earned her widespread acclaim. Beyond her artistic prowess, she has contributed essays and writings to art publications, offering insights into her creative process and the broader discourse surrounding contemporary art. Marlene Dumas is worth knowing for her influential role in shaping the landscape of contemporary art, her fearless exploration of human experiences, and her enduring commitment to challenging artistic boundaries.

Mentioned By

Sara Lopez

 
 
 
 
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