Supported by the Embassy of Switzerland in China, Red Brick Art Museum is hosting a major retrospective exhibition entitled “Heidi Bucher: Beyond the Skins”, featuring the avant-garde Swiss artist Heidi Bucher (1926-1993).
Regarded as one of the most significant but widely overlooked artists of the 20th century, Heidi Bucher’s showcase is curated by Yan Shijie with assistance from Yan Zi. For the first time in China, this exhibition will present over 100 of her important works, including rediscovered and restored visual materials, early paintings on paper, abstract silk collages, wearable sculptures from her time in Los Angeles, her iconic “skinning” series that explores the relationship between architecture and the human body, and her later works created on Lanzarote Island. These transformative artworks delve into human psychology and spatial connections while also addressing important themes of gender, society, and politics that are central to her artistic expression.
From her days as a student studying fashion design to becoming an artist, Bucher consistently transcended her era, both in her concepts and creations. Curator Yan Shijie stated, “‘Bodyshells’ marks the first step on Bucher’s path to self-liberation. Beginning with “skinning” her parental home, she attempted to break free from the constraints of the patriarchal and cultural norms of that time. The prison ‘skinning’ marked her entry into the realm of public spaces with political and historical significance. She decoded the power dynamics of knowledge production through her interpretation of the psychiatric clinic where “Studies on Hysteria” originated. By “skinning” the hotel where women and children were once incarcerated by the Nazis, she confronted collective historical oblivion. The “skins” she created became her embodiment.”
Dates: August 5 – October 8, 2023
Organised by: Red Brick Art Museum
Supported by:
Art Sonje Center
Embassy of Switzerland in China
The Estate of Heidi Bucher
Opening Hours:
Summer Days: 1 May to 30 September, Tuesday to Sunday 10:00 – 18:00 (Last entry at 17:30)
Winter Days: 1 October to next year 30 April, Tuesday to Sunday 10:00 – 17:30 (Last entry at 17:00)
