Fondazione Bevilacqua La Masa Marlene Dumas Suspect Curated by Gianni Romano June 12 – September 25th, 2003 Press preview June 11th, 2003 Fondazione Bevilacqua La Masa Palazzetto Tito Dorsoduro, 2826 30123 Venezia Tel. +39 041.5207797 Fax +39 041.5208955 The Fondazione Bevilacqua La Masa is pleased to present a solo exhibition by Marlene Dumas (born in Capetown, South Africa, 1953, lives in Amsterdam) entitled Suspect, curated by Gianni Romano. Dumas is one of the most acclaimed painters of our times, her work anticipated the figurative trend which has characterized so much painting and photography of the last decade. Dumas’s images, as well as the texts she writes, refuse easy interpretation: the models in paintings and drawings seem to refuse their traditional passive role by fostering a sort of role-playing with their audience. In Suspect everything become suspicious: from the painted models to our own attitude as visitors, bewitched and puzzled by these images of death and seduction. Suspect includes recent works and some new paintings realized specifically for this Venetian venue – the fascinating ambience of Palazzetto Tito, located in the historic artists’ quarter called Dorsuduro, which is one of the liveliest areas in town where you also find the Art Accademy, the Pinacoteca, the University of Venice and campo Santa Margherita. “Suspect” is the first solo exhibition by Marlene Dumas in an Italian museum. For press information contact the press office, Giorgia Gallina at: info@bevilacqualamasa.it Image: Marlene Dumas, Suspect, 2000