SA-born artist Marlene Dumas breaks record with R246m sale
A 1997 art piece painted by South African-born artist Marlene Dumas has sold for more than R230m at Christie's New York, setting a new benchmark for female artists in the 21st century art market.
Dumas' provocative 2.74m-tall oil painting Miss January sold for a staggering $13.635m (R246.7m) on Wednesday, setting a new world record for a living female artist.
The monumental portrait, a striking image of a blonde woman nude from the waist down, captivated collectors during the 21st Century Evening Sale held via Instagram Live and YouTube.
Auctioneer Yü-Ge Wang, associate director and senior client adviser at Christie's, led the sale which saw fierce bidding and ultimately achieved a total of $96.5m (R1.75bn). An impressive 92% of lots were sold by number and 97% by value, with four artists breaking auction records: Louis Fratino, Simone Leigh, Emma McIntyre and Dumas.
Dumas' record surpasses the previous benchmark held by British painter Jenny Saville, whose work Propped (1992) sold for £9.5m (R228m) at Sotheby's London in 2018.
Despite this groundbreaking achievement, Dumas' sale still trails the record for a living male artist Jeff Koons' Rabbit (1986), which sold for $91.07m (R1.65bn) in 2019.
Christie's reflected on Dumas' evolution as an artist, stating: 'Dumas started exploring and scrutinising the female form at age 10, with a drawing called Miss World' which depicted idolised glamour models. More than 30 years later, she returned to the subject with Miss January, a portrait that threads the line between revealing and concealing, and serves as perhaps the best example of her influential female portraiture.'
Born in Cape Town in 1953, Dumas is based in the Netherlands, where she represented the country at the 1995 Venice Biennale and was later featured in the central pavilion in 2015.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The South African
2 hours ago
- The South African
Will Smith opens up about personal growth post-Oscars slap
Will Smith has given a striking new perspective on the infamous Oscars moment when he slapped Chris Rock in 2022. Now, nearly three years later, the actor describes the incident as 'bruitiful' — a mix of brutal and beautiful. The actor reflected on how it forced him to confront authenticity and imperfection in his life and career, according to The Daily Mail. Will Smith spoke on BBC Radio 1Xtra with Remi Burgz . He said the experience pushed him to embrace his humanity rather than cling to an image of perfection. 'Finding that way to be with my humanity — be able to not be perfect but be human and find a higher power in my humanity,' he explained. He added that this acceptance allows him to be 'better than Will Smith,' the idealised version of himself he once sought to project. 'The honesty and authenticity and the broader spectrum of the possibilities of who I am is better than Will Smith,' he said. The slap occurred during the 94th Academy Awards in Los Angeles. Chris Rock had just made a joke about Jada Pinkett Smith's shaved head, a result of her alopecia diagnosis. Will Smith stormed the stage and struck Rock. He then shouted for him to 'keep my wife's name out of your mouth,' shocking the global audience. The incident led to a 10-year ban from the Oscars and widespread backlash. Despite the fallout, Will Smith has continued to work on his career. However, sources say the incident has had lasting consequences. Industry insiders reveal that while Smith still has strong instincts for choosing projects. The slap made it difficult for him to secure big-budget films. His public image took a hit, and some projects were put on hold, costing him an estimated R18 billion (about $1 billion) in lost deals and opportunities. Will Smith has publicly apologised to Chris Rock and the Academy, expressing remorse and a desire to make amends. Chris Rock has not yet accepted his offer. The actor has used the experience as a catalyst for personal growth, focusing on authenticity and imperfection rather than maintaining a flawless public persona. Will Smith's journey highlights the complexities of public accountability and personal evolution in the age of instant global media. His candid reflections on embracing imperfection resonate universally, reminding us that even those at the pinnacle of fame face human struggles and the need for growth. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The South African
3 hours ago
- The South African
Tyla shines as host of the Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards
The 2025 Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards lit up the stage with excitement and star power. Grammy Award-winning artist Tyla took centre stage as the host, bringing energy and charm to the event. The show thrilled fans with 5,000 gallons of slime and spectacular performances. It was a night to remember for South African viewers and global audiences alike. Tyla, who also won the coveted 'Favourite Global Music Star' award, captivated the crowd with her vibrant presence. 'Hosting the Kids' Choice Awards was a dream come true,' Tyla said. 'It's amazing to celebrate the artists and creators who inspire young people everywhere.' Her performance and hosting skills earned widespread praise, making her a standout star of the evening. The awards honoured the best in music, film, and television, according to The News. Sabrina Carpenter dominated the night, winning three Kids' choice awards: Favourite Song for Espresso , Favourite Female Breakout Artist, and Favourite Album for Short n' Sweet . The hit musical film Wicked won Favourite Movie. Ariana Grande, who stars as Glinda, took home Favourite Movie Actress. 'Playing Glinda was magical,' Ariana shared. 'And winning here means the world to me and my fans.' SZA and Bruno Mars won Favourite Female and Male Artist, respectively, while Jack Black claimed Favourite Movie Actor for A Minecraft Movie. Jack also received the 'King of Comedy' Silver Blimp award, recognising his incredible contribution to entertainment. In television, The Thundermans: Undercover won Favourite Kids TV Show, and XO, Kitty was named Favourite Family TV Show. Kira Kosarin and Xolo Maridueña won top acting honours in their Kids' choice awards categories, delighting fans of The Thundermans: Undercover and Cobra Kai . Digital creators also featured prominently. MrBeast won Favourite Male Creator, reflecting the growing influence of online content creators among young audiences. Rihanna received the ICON Silver Blimp award for her outstanding contributions to music, beauty, and activism. The live-vote categories added an interactive twist. SeanDoesMagic took the SpongeBob SquarePants Rock Bottom Plunge after audience votes. The 2025 Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards celebrated creativity, talent, and fun. Tyla's role as host and winner highlighted South Africa's growing influence on the global entertainment stage. The event, with its mix of slime, music, and laughter, connected young fans worldwide. As Tyla said, 'This night is for the kids, the dreamers, and the doers. I'm proud to represent South Africa and share this joy with the world.' The 2025 Kids' Choice Awards proved that the future of entertainment is bright, bold, and full of slime. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The South African
4 hours ago
- The South African
Rihanna wins Icon Award at 2025 Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards
Pop superstar Rihanna made a splash at the 2025 Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards, held on Saturday, 21 June. The superstar accepted the prestigious Icon Award through a virtual appearance, delighting fans across the globe. South Africa's own Tyla, who hosted the event, introduced the award. She said, 'The Icon Award is a very special award, and we all know and love Rihanna. She's been a huge influence in music, fashion, beauty, you name it. She inspires so many like myself, so, give it up for Bad Gal RiRi!' Tyla's words resonated with many young South Africans who look up to both stars. Rihanna appeared on screen with a playful Smurfs village background. She smiled as she accepted the honour. 'Thank you all so much for this incredible award. I am beyond honoured to be named your 2025 Icon,' she said. She continued, 'I'm even more honoured to be able to share this moment with all of you, because none of this would be possible without you. This is obviously a big deal for me, and I just want to take this moment to remind all of you that wherever you are right now is significant and crucial to where you are about to go.' Rihanna encouraged fans to believe in themselves. 'Own your space in this world, and know that you are chosen for greatness. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, this truly means so much to me.' Before signing off, Rihanna teased her upcoming role in the new Smurfs movie. 'Oh, and one more thing before I go,' she said. Suddenly, the crowd was covered in blue slime, a nod to the Smurfs and a fun Nickelodeon tradition. Rihanna's new song, Friend of Mine , features on the Smurfs soundtrack, according to Just Jared . The track is already making waves, with fans in South Africa streaming it on all major platforms. Rihanna's win and Tyla's role as host made the event extra special for South African viewers. Both artists continue to inspire young people across the country. The Icon Award highlights Rihanna's impact on music, fashion, and culture worldwide. Rihanna's message was clear and uplifting. She reminded fans in South Africa and beyond to own their space and strive for greatness. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
