New Marlene Dumas Exhibition Arrives at Museum van de Geest in Haarlem
The Museum van de Geest | Dolhuys in Haarlem is launching a significant new exhibition series with "Masterpieces: Marlene Dumas." Titled "Maar wie ik ben, gaat niemand wat aan" (But who I am is nobody's business), this solo presentation marks the inaugural temporary exhibition in the museum's refreshed 'Masterpieces' collection. Visitors can explore a monumental art installation by renowned artist Marlene Dumas, focusing on themes of identity and human connection. The exhibition opens on December 17.
Unveiling 'Het Hooghuys': A Focus on Human Identity
At the heart of the exhibition is Dumas's major work, 'Het Hooghuys,' a striking gallery of portraits. This installation comprises 36 paintings, including 26 portraits, which stemmed from a unique commission in the late 1980s by the Hooghuys psychiatric institution (now GGz Breburg) in Etten-Leur. The institution sought art to foster connection among its residents and staff as it pioneered independent living arrangements.
Dumas engaged directly with the facility's long-term residents, creating polaroid photographs – one for them, one for her – during her visits starting in 1989. This direct interaction was central to the project, with Dumas stating, "Because the paintings emerged from polaroids, there is that contact of mutual looking. They know I am there, with my shyness and loneliness. I am not a judge, I am a fellow human being," as quoted in a publication by GGZBreburg. The exhibition title itself, "Maar wie ik ben, gaat niemand wat aan," draws from a poem by Jan Arends, who also experienced stays in psychiatric clinics.
The resulting portraits, though varied in expression, style, and color intensity, collectively form a cohesive community, blurring distinctions between individuals. Dumas emphasized her goal was to depict individuals in their inherent complexity, not as 'pitiable beings,' and to challenge preconceived notions about 'reading' faces. After hanging in the Hooghuys canteen from 1991, and with the original building slated for demolition, the artwork has been placed on long-term loan by GGz Breburg, with segments alternately displayed at De Pont museum in Tilburg and the Museum van de Geest | Dolhuys in Haarlem since 2018.
Marlene Dumas: A Visionary Artist
Born in Cape Town in 1953 and relocating to Amsterdam in 1976, Marlene Dumas is widely recognized as one of today's most influential painters. Her work consistently explores the fragility of human existence, conveying emotions ranging from fear and anxiety to love and hope. She frequently uses photographs, whether her own or found images, as foundational material for her powerful paintings and drawings, allowing her to delve into profound psychological and social themes.
This exhibition offers a profound opportunity for visitors to engage with the intricate interplay of identity, vulnerability, and community through the lens of a masterful artist. To learn more about this and other cultural experiences, Musemap (musemap.art) helps you discover unique spots like the Museum van de Geest. You can also browse more museums in the area or explore cultural spots on the map.
