The Fondation Beyeler in Riehen near Basel is internationally renowned for its top-class exhibitions, its important collection of classical modern and contemporary art and its ambitious program of events: The draughtswoman and painter Vija Celmins will be honored this summer with an extensive solo exhibition that brings the magical effect of her visual worlds to life. The first retrospective of Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama in Switzerland can be seen at the Fondation Beyeler in fall 2025. And in spring 2026, the Fondation Beyeler will dedicate a solo exhibition to Paul Cezanne, a pioneer of modern art and one of the most important artists in its collection.

VIJA CELMINS
The Fondation Beyeler is dedicating an extensive solo exhibition to the draughtswoman and painter Vija Celmins (*1938, Riga).
Celmins' art is characterized by a subtle yet powerful visual language. Initially, the artist focused on everyday objects as well as disaster and war scenes. She soon turned her attention to the surface structures of spider webs, oceans and deserts, and later to the night sky and galaxies in particular. Her pictures elude a cursory glance; however, if one allows oneself to become involved with them, they unfold a fascinating beauty in the interplay of proximity and distance. The exhibition presents a selection of Celmins' works created from the 1960s to the present day, allowing visitors to experience the magical effect of her visual worlds. A number of sculptures - described by Celmins herself as "three-dimensional paintings" - will also be on display. The show is rounded off by a new group of works that continue Celmins' long-standing intensive exploration of surfaces and depth of space. This is the most important presentation of Celmins' work in Europe for almost 20 years.
June 15 to September 21, 2025

INSTALLATION VIEW "Vija Celmins", Fondation Beyeler, Riehen/Basel, 2025 © Vija Celmins, Courtesy Matthew Marks Gallery, Photo: Mark Niedermann

YAYOI KUSAMA
In fall 2025, the Fondation Beyeler will present the first retrospective of the famous Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama (*1929, Matsumoto) in Switzerland.
Organized in close collaboration with the artist and her studio, the exhibition provides a holistic insight into Kusama's artistic oeuvre spanning seven decades. On display will be both iconic works and older pieces that have never been shown in Europe, as well as new productions and one of her popular Infinity Mirror Rooms. The artist, who is one of the superstars of contemporary art, has achieved cult status with her exploration of repetitive patterns and structures - namely through her characteristic polka dots and mirror rooms, which transport viewers into infinite worlds. The exhibition highlights the variety of artistic media Kusama has worked with over the years, including painting, sculpture, installations, drawing, collage, happenings, live performances, fashion and literature.
October 12, 2025 to January 25, 2026

Kusama with yellow tree/living room at the Aichi Triennale, 2010 © Yayoi Kusama, Courtesy of Ota Fine Arts, Victoria Miro, David Zwirner

CEZANNE
For the first time in its history, the Fondation Beyeler is dedicating a solo exhibition to Paul Cezanne, a pioneer of modern art and one of the most important artists in its collection. The exhibition focuses on the last and at the same time most important phase of the French artist's oeuvre and highlights central themes of his late years, including still lifes, portraits, landscapes and bathing scenes. With around 50 oil paintings and watercolors, the exhibition allows visitors to experience form, light and color in Cezanne's groundbreaking works - the qualities that have inspired artists for generations and continue to influence them to this day.
January 25 to May 25, 2026
www.fondationbeyeler.ch