Marcel Dzama

Canadian, b. 1974

-Pick out who you are-, 2001

ink, watercolour on paper

33.6 x 25.5 cm

Collection of the Winnipeg Art Gallery; Gift of the artist

2001-284

Categories:

Drawing, Works on Paper

A founding member of the Winnipeg-based Royal Art Lodge group, Marcel Dzama rose to international acclaim for drawings, such as this WAG piece, done in ink and watercolour, of unusual humanoid figures, fantastical animals, and imaginary hybrids. In this piece, 58 types of figures are lined up in five rows. A sampling of these absurd characters includes a seated rabbit holding a cup; a rat smoking a cigarette; several nude women; a mule standing upright, wearing a mask; a figure draped in a sheet; and numerous figures with heads of animals or heads resembling aliens, dressed in trousers and jackets. Dzama’s work has recently moved into large-scale tableaus and animated video, where he uses many characters from his earlier drawings.