Elles, from A to Z

Artists: Laia Abril, Louise Bourgeois, Parkett, Batia Suter, Sophie Wietlisbach, Billie Zangewa

For the tenth edition of the Triennial of Contemporary Prints, the choice was made to show works exclusively by women artists, not with the idea of locking them into a reductive category, but rather to put into perspective the themes they take up in their art, which is often marked by relationships of domination. With a real creative freedom, some of them assert themselves without fear of tackling so-called feminine subjects. They experiment with different practices to highlight their perception of the world. From Laia Abril (Spain, 1986) to Billie Zangewa (Malawi, 1973), including Batia Suter (Switzerland, 1967) and Sophie Wietlisbach (Switzerland, 1993), these contemporary artists radiate out from Louise Bourgeois (France, 1911–2010), whose engraved work is exhibited. The Triennial, which has shown over the years that the multiple is not a minor art form, is also the occasion to offer a space to the Zurich-based publishing house Parkett, which brings together more than 90 works produced over the last 30 years by international women artists. Without being fully aware of it, our gaze has been conditioned according to the values set up by a patriarchal system. With this feminine-centered programme, the MBAL shows works that offer a counterpoint to a masculine art form and encourage renewal of our collective imagination. 

About the museum
The Museum of Fine Arts in Le Locle, Switzerland (MBAL), has been an institution treasured by art lovers since the late 19th century.  Three times a year, a varied set of temporary exhibitions celebrate diverse and wide-ranging points of view. Prints, photographs, paintings, drawings and new media fill our spaces and enliven our walls, while monographic and thematic exhibitions bring together artists from different generations and many countries around the world. Additionally, since 1992, the museum has organized the Triennial of Contemporary Prints. Open to all techniques and the concept of the multiple in particular, the Triennial has emerged as an important element in the life of the MBAL, while contributing to Switzerland’s vibrant artistic scene. Le Locle itself is also prized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.