Hannah Villiger's First Catalogue Raisonné Accompanies Basel Retrospective
The inaugural catalogue raisonné of Hannah Villiger's artwork has been released, showcasing 500 photo-paintings. This publication aligns with a retrospective at Kunsthalle Basel, curated by Eric Hattan, which includes around sixty pieces. Between 1980 and 1997, Villiger produced large-scale photographs that depicted the body and urban landscapes, drawing inspiration from sculpture, painting, and performance art. She challenged Western notions of representation by revealing only parts of her body, with critics observing that the grain of her images mimicked skin texture. In pieces such as "Sculptural" and "Block I-XXX," she employed the camera as a "chisel." After relocating to Paris in 1986, she supported her family while fighting tuberculosis, which ultimately led to her passing in 1997 at the age of 45.
Key facts
- First catalogue raisonné of Hannah Villiger published with 500 photo-paintings.
- Retrospective at Kunsthalle Basel organized by Eric Hattan with about sixty works.
- Villiger created large-format photographs of body and city from 1980 to 1997.
- She used a Polaroid SX70 camera until her death.
- Photos printed on thin aluminum plates from internegatives.
- Villiger moved to Paris in 1986.
- She married Senegalese Joe Kébé; his lack of work permit caused financial strain.
- She died in 1997 at age 45 from a lung condition due to tuberculosis.
- Critics compared image grain to skin texture.
- Works include series 'Sculptural' and 'Block I-XXX'.
Entities
Artists
- Hannah Villiger
- Eric Hattan
- Joe Kébé
- Gislind Nabakowski
- Thomas de Kayser
Institutions
- Kunsthalle Basel
- Kunstverein Bonn
Locations
- Basel
- Switzerland
- Bonn
- Germany
- Paris
- France
- Senegal
Sources
- artpress —