MAMCO Geneva Confronts Its Own Collection: Only 31% of Holdings Are by Women Artists

The Musée Rath in Geneva is showcasing the Refaire collection alongside a retrospective of Welsh painter Sylvia Sleigh (1916-2010), organized by MAMCO and the Musée d'art et d'histoire. Notably, women artists constitute 31% of MAMCO's collection. Director Lionel Bovier emphasizes the importance of new narratives to bring attention to overlooked figures. After training in London, Sleigh relocated to New York in 1962, challenging traditional depictions of female nudes created by male artists. Significant works include Imperial Nude: Paul Rosano (1975) and Working at Home (1969). She was actively involved with feminist initiatives, such as Women Choose Women (1973) and The Sister Chapel (1978). The accompanying catalogue includes an essay by Linda Nochlin, providing historical context. The Refaire collection critiques existing acquisition practices and curatorial standards.