Vera Isler Estate

Annette Barcelo

The spontaneity of Barcelo’s strokes and figuration resists classification and canonization. She insists that her painterly expression should defy categorization, as her approach to the female body is characterized by functionality and transience, closely linked to the processes of birth and the self-image of a woman defying patriarchy of the 1980s art world in Switzerland.

In Barcelo’s work, we witness the emergence of a unique universe populated by almost mystical figures. She constructed a bestiary inhabited by eerie creatures, witch priestesses, chimeras, and various animal forms. These figures seem to hover between life and death, possessing a certain power over mortality and rebirth. At times, they can be interpreted as substitutes for human figures and interactions, but the female figure remains at the core of her visual vocabulary and is represented in nearly every work.

Annette Barcelo (*1943, Basel) lives and works in Basel. She attended the Schule für Gestaltung in Basel (Basel School of Design). Her artistic practice has spanned more than five decades; she often works in series using various techniques, such as painting, drawing, and printmaking. Her distinctive visual language explores the connections between various areas of life, including birth and death, flora and fauna, and different mythologies. Barcelo’s works have been widely exhibited, including at Galerie Anne de Villepoix in Paris, Galleria Madragoa in Lisbon, Galerie Mäder in Basel, and the Aargauer Kunsthaus in Aarau.

CV

Education

*1962

Schule für Gestaltung, Basel

2024

Works from 1985 to 1995, Back to the Future section, Artissima 2024, Torino, IT

Manifesta 2024, Barcelona, ES

Annette Barcelo: BELLEZZE, October to December, see you next tuesday, Basel, CH

Groupshow: A SUMMER OF PERFECT BRIGHTNESS, see you next tuesday, Basel, CH

Groupshow: WEG IST WEG, Space 25, Basel, CH


2023

Annette Barcelo: Live Your Transformation. Curated by Chus Martínez, Garleria Madragoa, Lissbon, PT

Annette Barcelo: Live Your Transformation. Curated by Chus Martínez, der TANK, Basel, CH

Supra Nature, Group Show, Galerie Anne de Villepoix, Paris, FR

Auswahl, Annual exhibition, Kunsthaus Aarau, Aarau, CH

2017

Ungewohnte Nähe, Galerie Anne De Villepoix, Paris, FR

2016

Annette Barcelo: rundum weiter, Galerie Mäder, Basel, CH

2015

Fortsetzung Folgt, Galerie Anne De Villepoix, Paris, FR

2014

Menschen, Tiere, Glück und Tod, Galerie Anne De Villepoix, Paris, FR

2013

Wilde Zeiten, Galerie Mäder and Galerie Karin Sutter, Basel, CH

2011

Kunstkeller Gallery – Dorothe Freiburghaus, Bern, CH

2010

Ausstellungsraum Klingental, Basel, CH

Ich habe mich geweigert einen Baum zu zeichnen, Space Gallery 22 – Heinz Schweingruber, Tabitha Schuler – with Thomas Detwiler

2007

Edition Galerie Mäder, Basel, CH

2006

Cultura Center Altes Schlachthaus, Laufen, CH

2005

Edition Galerie Mäder, Basel, CH

20th Anniversary exhibition – Space Gallery 22 – Heinz Schweingruber, Tabitha Schuler – with Thomas Dettwiler

2004

Galerie Schachen, Oensingen, CH

2003

Edition Galerie Mäder, Basel, CH

2002

Galerie Ursula Wiedenkeller, Zürich, CH

2001

Edition Galerie Mäder, Basel, CH

Galerie Kunstkeller – Dorothe Freiburghaus, Bern, CH

Galérie Aparté, Lausanne, CH

2000

Ursula Wiedenkeller Gallery, Zürich, CH

1998

Aparté Gallery, Lausanne, CH

1997

Galerie Ingrid Studer, Burgdorf, CH

1996

Edition Galerie Mäder, Basel, CH

Galerie Priska Meier, Zell, DE

1995

Galérie Aparté, Lausanne, CH

1994

Edition Galerie Mäder, Basel, CH

1993

Galerie Ingrid Studer, Burgdorf, CH

Galérie Aparté, Lausanne, CH

1992

Galerie Susanne Kulli, Bern, CH

Galérie Aparté, Lausanne, CH

Galerie Ingrid Studer, Burgdorf, CH

Edition Galerie Mäder, Basel, CH

2005

Mäder Heft Eins

Five coloured serigraphies, five pictures, text by Agaja Veteray

Ed. Franz Mäder (Basel)

2004

Engel

Book with twelve dry-point drawings

Bohe Winde Presse, (Basel)

2002

Pan y Toros

Map with twelve dry-point drawings

Hohe Winde Presse, (Basel)

2000

Die Stunde zwischen Hund und Wolf

Map with six etchings, Hohe Winde Presse, (Basel)

1999

Bis zum nächsten Mal

Book with nine etchings, text by Michel Layaz

Lausanne, Hohe Winde Presse, (Basel)

1997

Mit lieben Grüssen

Twenty etchings, private publisher

1996

Erdnüsse

Illustration and arrangement of the tale “Erdnüsse” by Ruth Schweikert

Ed. Franz Mäder (Basel)

1994

Von der siebenfachen Einengung

Seven etchings, with stories by Johanna M. Schwarz

Ed. Franz Mäder (Basel)

1991

Con Bestie

Exhibition catalogue

Ed. Franz Mäder (Basel)

1990

Bagno Felice

Drypoint, text by Guido Bachmann

Ed. Franz Mäder (Basel)

1989

Meinen Fuss möchte ich noch einmal sehen, bitte

Book with 24 offset lithographs, text by Martin Zingg,

Ed. Franz Mäder (Basel)

Exhibitions & Projects

October 25 to December 22, 2024

Annette Barcelo: BELLEZZE

Available works