Basel's Spring 2026 Art Scene: Major Exhibitions During Art Basel
In spring 2026, coinciding with Art Basel, Basel's museums will offer an extensive lineup of exhibitions. Kunstmuseum Basel will host a significant retrospective of Helen Frankenthaler, the largest in Europe, showcasing more than 50 pieces. Simultaneously, 'The First Homosexuals. The Birth of New Identities 1869–1939' will examine the early representation of queer identities in art. The Museum für Gegenwartskunst will feature Cao Fei's inaugural solo exhibition in Switzerland, turning the museum into a city-like installation. Fondation Beyeler will present a site-specific exhibition by Pierre Huyghe, while Tinguely Museum will show Angelica Mesiti's 'Reverb.' Kunsthalle Basel will highlight works by Coumba Samba and Janiva Ellis. Vitra Design Museum will celebrate Verner Panton's centenary alongside Hella Jongerius' retrospective. The Museum der Kulturen will unveil 'Our Owl Is Pink,' and Kunsthaus Basell will host 'Mémoires Voyageuses' and Monira Al Qadiri's 'Benzene Float.'
Key facts
- Kunstmuseum Basel presents the largest European retrospective of Helen Frankenthaler, with over 50 works.
- Kunstmuseum Basel also hosts 'The First Homosexuals. The Birth of New Identities 1869–1939' until August 2, 2026.
- Cao Fei's first solo show in Switzerland and largest European retrospective is at Museum für Gegenwartskunst until October 11, 2026.
- Fondation Beyeler exhibits Pierre Huyghe with site-specific works until September 13, 2026.
- Tinguely Museum shows Angelica Mesiti's 'Reverb' until August 30, 2026.
- Kunsthalle Basel features Coumba Samba's 'Wild Wild Wall' and Janiva Ellis's 'Geneva' until August 23 and August 9, 2026 respectively.
- Vitra Design Museum presents 'Verner Panton: Form, Colour, Space' until May 9, 2027, and 'Hella Jongerius: Whispering Things' until September 6, 2026.
- Museum der Kulturen's 'Our Owl Is Pink' runs until January 24, 2027, co-designed with diverse communities.
Entities
Artists
- Helen Frankenthaler
- Cao Fei
- Pierre Huyghe
- Angelica Mesiti
- Coumba Samba
- Janiva Ellis
- Verner Panton
- Hella Jongerius
- Raphaël Barontini
- Onome Ekeh
- Joana Escoval
- Binelde Hyrcan
- Mateo Maté
- Sofía Salazar Rosales
- Aline Motta
- Helena Uambembe
- Monira Al Qadiri
Institutions
- Kunstmuseum Basel
- Museum für Gegenwartskunst
- Fondation Beyeler
- Tinguely Museum
- Kunsthalle Basel
- Vitra Design Museum
- Museum der Kulturen
- Kunsthaus Baselland
- Art Basel
Locations
- Basel
- Switzerland
- Riehen
- Weil am Rhein
- Germany
- Paris
- France
- Senegal
- Kuwait
- Berlin
- United States
- Australia