ARTIST ACTIVIST ARCHIVIST : BERNHARD LÜTHI INVITES
16.06.2024 → 10.11.2024From June 16th to November 10th, 2024, Fondation Opale presents the exhibition ARTIST ACTIVIST ARCHIVIST: BERNHARD LÜTHI INVITES.
This exhibition highlights the career of Bernhard Lüthi, an artist and curator from Bern, who has been a staunch advocate for the recognition of Australian Aboriginal art in Europe.
Since his first trip to Australia in 1974, he documents rock art and forms strong bonds with Aboriginal artists and activists, shaping a commitment that continues to resonate today.
Gradually shifting away from his own artistic practice to focus on curatorial work for the Aboriginal Arts Board, Lüthi has made a major contribution to bringing Aboriginal art to Europe. His groundbreaking exhibitions have challenged the norms of contemporary European art,: MAGICIENS DE LA TERRE in 1989 in Paris, ARATJARA, ART OF THE FIRST AUSTRALIANS in 1993-94 in Düsseldorf, London and Copenhagen and the retrospective exhibition RARRK, dedicated to Kuninjku artist John Mawurndjul at the Museum Tinguely in Basel and in Hanover in 2005-06.
At the heart of the exhibition ARTIST ACTIVIST ARCHIVIST lies Bernhard Lüthi’s meticulously curated archive, a testament to five decades of dedication. Complementing this archive is a site-specific art installation by Wiradjuri artist Brook Andrew. The exhibition features a selection of Lüthi’s own works, alongside works by artists who have played a key role in his career. These works critically engage with themes of colonialism, Eurocentrism, and racism that persist in both the visual arts and society at large, both in Australia and Europe.
Starting out as a tribute to one of the most dynamic advocates for Australian First Nations art and culture in Europe, this exhibition offers insight into the significant milestones in the history of Aboriginal art in Europe. It also serves as an artistic exploration of the intimate mechanisms that drive individuals to stand against injustice.
Past exhibitions
ARTIST ACTIVIST ARCHIVIST : BERNHARD LÜTHI INVITES
Main exhibition 16.06.2024 → 10.11.2024
HIGH FIVE!
Main exhibition 17.12.2023 → 14.04.2024
ABSUM
Special Focus 17.12.2023 → 14.04.2024
INTERSTELLAR
Main exhibition 18.06.2023 → 12.11.2023
OBJECT OF INTEREST 700 E
Special Focus 18.06.2023 → 12.11.2023
DREAMING IN THE DREAM OF OTHERS
Main exhibition 10.12.2022 → 16.04.2023
NAMSA LEUBA
Special Focus 12.06.2022 → 06.11.2022
PAPUNYA 1971
Special Focus 12.06.2022 → 06.11.2022
FUGITIVE PRESENT
Main exhibition 12.06.2022 → 06.11.2022
BREATH OF LIFE
Main exhibition 13.06.2021 → 17.04.2022
LAST WHISPERS : PRELUDE
Special focus 03.11.2021 → 17.04.2022
VLADIMIR ŠKODA
Special focus 13.06.2021 → 08.10.2021
RESONANCES
Aboriginal Art 14.06.2020 → 25.04.2021
SUPERSTUDIO
Special focus 30.09.2020 → 04.04.2021
MICHAEL COOK : BROKEN DREAMS
Special focus 14.06.2020 → 20.09.2020
BEFORE TIME BEGAN
Contemporary Aboriginal Art 09.06.2019 → 29.03.2020
WALALA TJAPALTJARRI SELF-PORTRAIT
Special focus 11.12.2019 → 29.03.2020
MYSTERY AND MODERNITY
Special focus 21.09.2019 → 01.12.2019
PAINTING ON COUNTRY
Special focus 09.06.2019 → 15.09.2019
YANN ARTHUS-BERTRAND
Legacy, a life as a photographer 16.12.2018 → 31.03.2019
ROBERT FIELDING
Special focus 16.12.2018 → 31.03.2019