Pittsburgh-native Justin Emmanual Dumas has cemented himself as a sought-after artist as he continues his gallery run post-Yale MFA and racks up a number of pieces placed in private collections.
Détrompe, Möbius, 2024
All About Pittsburgh-Native Artist Justin Emmanuel Dumas
His “painting-like objects” and mixed media pieces have adorned the walls and floors of The Mattress Factory, Romance Gallery, The Tomayko Foundation, The Carnegie Museum of Art, The Manchester Craftsman’s Guild (MCG), and more.
As he evolves, Dumas pushes the boundaries of how he manipulates both materials themselves and their effect on the viewer. Recent work brings his signature complex-yet-platatable beauty into even closer proximity with the profane. Think ballistic gelatin jawbone sculptures in conversation with layered fabrics and delicate stitching. Over a shared pot of tea, we discuss how this work is a microcosm of the irreconcilable reality of life itself, a depth of conversation that comes naturally to the up-and-comer.
FRMWRK/001 (Perpetual Prototype – V.2)
Dumas operates with restraint that is uncharacteristic of contemporary artists. Perhaps this is part of why he finds himself pursued by the independent and institutional alike. Generous writings accompany shows and the artist himself is approachable and thoughtful — but any declarations of meaning stay in the realm of wonder. It’s delightfully effective, as after seeing Dumas’ work at a few shows, one begins to develop “habits of viewing” in anticipation of such an experience.
Untitled, 2023, 20.5 x 20 inches (52 x 51 cm)
Opening Up Views on Visual Arts
For example, by my second show, I’d begun to approach his painting-like objects from the side first, instead of straight-on as one would a traditional painting. I knew I would discover entrancing details even on the edges of a piece or be offered a literal shift of perspective. Here, Dumas imposes that restraint onto the viewer, in that his work often beckons for you to touch it but the medium restricts it to sight only by its fine art environment. It’s an intentional pursuit that he explains in a video interview by The Carnegie and a perfect example of how Dumas creates a broader cultural conversation without spoon-feeding his audience.
Sheer Strata Compress
While his operating range has expanded greatly with the occasional modern element and the incorporation of his found objects and materials in more types of modalities — many threads run through his work year after year. Namely, the materials of our industrial and post-industrial world appear how and where we don’t expect them — composed painstakingly into something that allures galleries and collectors alike. In this way, Dumas achieves the ever-challenging feat of creativity that is both timely and timeless.
Still Water Runoff, 2025
Story by Samantha Leon
Photo Courtesy of Justin Emmanual Dumas
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