* Version française ci-dessous *
From 12th of SEPTEMBER to 31st of OCTOBER 2026, the exhibition GO CLOSER – JOHN BERGER THROUGH HIS ART will take place at Villa Renata, in Basel (CH).
John Berger is most well known for his writings about art. But the art he produced himself throughout his long life is still largely to be discovered. From his first paintings from the Fifties, to the latest drawings of flowers done a few months before his death, this is the largest ever exhibition presented to the public. Following five central axes of his way of living, seing and thinking, a clear relation is established between his practice as an artist and the many books he wrote. Politics, friendship, history, bodies, nature… all come together when you go closer.
Curators: Franziska Stern-Preisig, Isaac Klotz White and Yves Berger.
Events during the exhibition:
12/09 Opening, 6-9 PM *
20/09 “The principle of the sociable hermit” sound installation by Moritz Holfelder
10/10 “I am not mine” poetry reading by Aws Al-Zubaïdy and Katya Berger-Andreadakis of Mahmoud Darwish’s poem MURAL (in Arabic and English). *
17/10 Guided tour of the exhibition and ephemeral tattooing for children with Daniel Müller, 2-4 PM
31/10 Exhibition closing, 4-6 PM *
* Yves Berger will attend these events.
GO CLOSER 2026 exhibition Villa Renata © John Berger Estate
* Version française ci-dessous *
Du 12 SEPTEMBRE au 31 OCTOBRE 2026, l’exposition GO CLOSER – JOHN BERGER THROUGH HIS ART aura lieu à la Villa Renata, à Bâle (CH).
John Berger est surtout connu pour ses écrits sur l’art. Mais l’art qu’il a lui-même produit tout au long de sa vie est encore largement à découvrir. De ses premières peintures des années 1950, aux derniers dessins de fleurs qu’il a fait quelques mois avant sa mort, ce sera la plus importante exposition de cette œuvre jamais présentée au public. Suivant cinq axes de sa manière de vivre, voir et penser, une relation est établie entre ses pratiques comme artiste et les nombreux livres qu’il a écrit. Politique, complicité, histoire, corps, nature… tout se rejoint quand on vient plus près [go closer].
