Focus: Susan Morris - 3 Museum Shows

Winter 2025 - Winterthur, Soest and Ahlen

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Susan Morris, Triptych: Binary Tapestry, Sunshine 2010, 2011 and 2012, 2024, Jacquard tapestry: Linen Yarn, Edition 2 of 3, Each 251.5 × 95.5 cm

Susan Morris, SunDial:NightWatch_Sleep/Wake 2010-2014 (MLS Version), 2015, Jacquard tapestry: Silk and cotton yarn, Edition 3 of 3, 134 × 179 cm|

Courtesy: Bartha_contemporary, London, © Photo: Michael Lio, Gewerbemuseum Winterthur

Susan Morris, SunDial:NightWatch_Activity and Light 2010-2012 (Tilburg Version), 2014, Jacquard tapestry: Silk and linen yarns, 155 x 589 cm

Courtesy: Bartha_contemporary, London, Loan: Kunsthaus Biel Centre d’art Bienne, © Photo: Michael Lio, Gewerbemuseum Winterthur

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Lighten Up!

Gewerbemuseum Winterthur, Switzerland

22.11.2024 - 11.05.2025

What is the significance of biological clocks in living organisms and the influence of daylight? When and how do we sleep, and when must we be active? Whether bats, plants, insects, or humans—every living being has internalised the 24-hour day-night rhythm, allowing them to regulate their behaviour and bodily functions optimally.

"Lighten Up!" explores the connection between living organisms and the circadian (circa diem = approximately one day) rhythm in collaboration with designers, artists, and architects. The exhibition celebrates the power and beauty of daylight, introduces the mysteries of biological clocks, and delves into the secrets of sleep and dreams. "Lighten Up!" highlights the sun's movement across the sky and emphasises the necessity of natural light for a healthy life.

A healthy life also requires dark nights, yet these are becoming increasingly bright due to artificial light—causing adverse effects on all living beings. That’s why we must reclaim the night and brighten the day!

An exhibition by EPFL Pavilions Lausanne, with extensions from the Gewerbemuseum Winterthur. The exhibition will be displayed at the MIT Museum in Boston from autumn 2025 until autumn 2026.

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> Swiss Radio Report (German, Swiss-German)

> Art.TV Video Report (German)

> Swiss TV Video Report (Italian)

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Susan Morris, SunDial:NightWatch_Light Exposure 2010-2012 (Tilburg Version), 2014, Jacquard Tapestry: Acrylic and linen yarn, 155 × 360 cm

Susan Morris, Binary Tapestry (Sunshine), 2012, Jacquard tapestry: Linen Yarn, 366 × 145 cm

Courtesy: Bartha_contemporary, London, © Photo: Stephanie Nafé, SKK, Soest

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‍After Nature

ARTROOM SCHROTH in the Museum Wilhelm Morgner, Soest, Germany

15.12.2024 - 02.03.2025

The cloudless sky, the immense movements of the sea, the vibrant colours of autumn leaves, sunlight or the human body, for example, are the starting point, inspiration or theme of the works in this exhibition. Nach der Natur / After Nature presents works by artists from the Schroth Collection. These pieces occupy powerful, singular realities with concentrated formal means while simultaneously possessing a close connection to reality.

Their creative means, such as reduced pictorial elements, a clear formal language, pure, often monochrome colours, and derived from logical concepts. They originate in the late 20th century for and through the process of liberation from the imitation of nature, i.e. the depiction of reality. In contemporary art, however, these pieces describe phenomena and processes of the real world.

Some artists use universal compositional means to depict specific, unique light, shape or dimensional conditions emanating from reality; others take observations of nature as inspiration and combine them with creative conception and mathematical construction; some uncover deeper truths and structures of our environment through their artistic interventions. At the same time, the works are present as realities in their own right.

After Nature examines the relationship between reality and work, nature, mankind and culture, and between universality and uniqueness, the foundational concept of non-objectivity in contemporary art is purposefully undermined.

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Susan Morris, Diptych: Binary Tapestry, 2016, Jacquard tapestry: Cotton Yarn, Edition 2 of 3, Each 145 × 71 cm

Konkrete Frauen / Neue Räume

Kunstmuseum Ahlen, Germany

16.02. - 15.06.2025

Around 100 years ago, Theo van Doesburg (1883-1931) called for a new art form: reduced colours, geometric forms, and the renunciation of an artistic signature were the guidelines of “Concrete Art”, which he officially brought to life with a manifesto. But what does Concrete Art mean today? What means do contemporary artists associated with this art movement employ? And would they describe themselves as 'concrete'?

Female positions are still underrepresented in museums and galleries compared to their male counterparts. As part of the joint project Hellweg Konkret III, Kunstmuseum Ahlen shows 20 outstanding international female artists related to Concrete Art. The group exhibition opens up new spaces in several respects: firstly, by expanding the concept of Concrete Art; secondly, by exploring specific space-creating qualities in painting, drawing, sculpture, installations and textile art; and thirdly, by giving female artists a space for representation. The broad spectrum of artistic expression and the great wealth of colours, forms and materials make you want to discover more.

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