'Amy-Blue' (Amy Winehouse), 2011

Singer and songwriter Amy Winehouse (1983–2011) trained at the Sylvia Young Theatre School, London. In 2002 she signed to the Island/Universal label, and made three internationally acclaimed albums: Frank (2003), Back to Black (2006) and the posthumously released Lioness (2011). During her career, she won five Grammys, three Ivor Novello Awards and a Brit Award for best female artist.

South-African born artist Marlene Dumas’ (b. 1953) portrait of Winehouse is commemorative, made after the singer’s death. It portrays Winehouse at close-crop and simplifies her characteristic features. The translucent blues speak as much of Winehouse’s musical influences – such as Dinah Washington and The Ronettes – as of the melancholy details of her life. The portrait is derived from one of the many photographs available of the singer in the media. Dumas often uses secondary material in her work as a reflection of the social and political ideas and obsessions of our time.

National Portrait Gallery, London. Purchased with help from the Art Fund, 2012
© Marlene Dumas; courtesy of the artist and Frith Street Gallery, London