More about the release2 Notes
"Empress of Night" is a zine created by artist Marcel Dzama in conjunction with his synonymous 2025 solo exhibition at David Zwirner, Los Angeles (June 28–August 8). This richly illustrated, limited edition publication features close‐up details of new and recent works—including ink, pearlescent-ink, watercolor, and graphite pieces—among dense, dreamlike nightscapes.
With references to Francisco Goya and surrealist poet Federico García Lorca, among others, the zine explores parallels between historical periods of turmoil and our present moment, and touches on themes of ecological fragility and authoritarianism. With recurring figures like animals, dancing jesters, and celestial motifs, Empress of Night captures Dzama’s nocturnal imagination and allegorical storytelling, offering a poetic and timely reflection of hope amid unrest.
PUBLICATION DETAILS: Zine • Limited-edition publication Artist: Marcel Dzama Format: 40 pages, 6 x 7.75 in. (152.4 x 196.85 mm), softcover, full-color Edition: 1000 copies Release Date: June 2025 Publisher: David Zwirner and Metalabel
Release Notes (2)
About the artist
Since rising to prominence in the late 1990s, Marcel Dzama (b. 1974) has developed an immediately recognizable visual language that investigates human action and motivation, as well as the blurred relationship between the real and the subconscious. Drawing equally from folk vernacular as from art-historical and contemporary infl uences, Dzama’s work visualizes a universe of childhood fantasies and otherworldly fairy tales.
Release details
- Category
- art - art book / zine
- Release Date
- 27 June 2025
- Catalog number
- DZAMA001