Marlene Dumas

Rejects and Reasons

In South-Africa you have Reject
Stores. They sell clothes that have
flaws or some imperfections.
It makes them cheaper.

Every group discriminates.
They kick out those they feel don’t
fit in; or leave out others because
of a limited amount of space
(or other reasons).


I’d rather be abused than rejected
Andries Botha


Rejects and Reasons. Originally published in Auf dem Strich, Arbeiten zum Thema Prostitution (cat.), Kulturviertel in Sophienhof Kiel, 1997; and included in Marlene Dumas, Sweet Nothings. Notes and Texts, first edition Galerie Paul Andriesse and De Balie Publishers Amsterdam, 1998; and second edition (revised and expanded) Koenig Books London, 2014.