Dumas cultivated a unique position within the world of figurative painting beginning with
expressive drawings of human figures -powerful figurative works that explore themes of
gender, identity, sexual and ethnic violence, and oppression. In the paintings there is always
clear interplay between image and spectator: her models give the impression of observing,
rather than being observed. Suspect, the title of this exhibition and catalog, is just as
wonderfully ambiguous; the show undermines preconceived notions about victims and
executioners while adding to the pool of doubt the idea that these images themselves
might be "suspect ".
The catalog features Dumas ' recent works as well as a series created specifically for her
exhibition. The book includes a long interview with the artist and a collection of her writings.
expressive drawings of human figures -powerful figurative works that explore themes of
gender, identity, sexual and ethnic violence, and oppression. In the paintings there is always
clear interplay between image and spectator: her models give the impression of observing,
rather than being observed. Suspect, the title of this exhibition and catalog, is just as
wonderfully ambiguous; the show undermines preconceived notions about victims and
executioners while adding to the pool of doubt the idea that these images themselves
might be "suspect ".
The catalog features Dumas ' recent works as well as a series created specifically for her
exhibition. The book includes a long interview with the artist and a collection of her writings.
