1. Jeff Wall, The Thinker, 1986, Transparency in lightbox,
239 x 216 cm, Courtesy of the artist, © Jeff Wall
The Wall's are moving, moving away from shadows to lights
The Fondation Beyeler just presented a comprehensive solo exhibition, marking the triumphant return of Wall's work to Switzerland after nearly two decades. Showcasing 55 pieces, including iconic photographies illuminated within lightboxes, black-and-white photographies, and vibrant color prints, this exhibition offers a rare glimpse into the evolution of Wall's oeuvre in the last two decades.
Since the late 1970s, Jeff Wall has redefined photography, elevating it to an autonomous art form while blurring the lines between reality and fiction. Wall's compositions weave together individual shots and meticulously crafted film stills. Inspired by both the mundane and the sublime, his images resonate with echoes of daily life and art history, inviting viewers into a world where the ordinary is transformed into the extraordinary.
Jeff Wall - Himself
2. Jeff Wall, Mask Maker, 2015, Inkjet print,
167,4 x 134,5 cm, Courtesy of Jeff Wall and White Cube, © Jeff Wall
Jeff Wall was born in 1946 in Vancouver, Canada, where he continues to reside and create his iconic photographic works. In the 1960s, Wall first delved into the world of photography, igniting a passion that would shape his artistic career.
From 1964 to 1970, Wall pursued a Master of Arts degree in Art History at the University of British Columbia in Canada. Following this, he engaged in research at the Courtauld Institute of Art, University of London, England, from 1970 to 1973. These academic endeavors laid the foundation for his future contributions to the field of art.
Throughout his career, Wall balanced his artistic pursuits with a commitment to education. He served as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Art History at the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design from 1974 to 1975. Later, he held the position of Associate Professor at the Center for the Arts at Simon Fraser University in Vancouver from 1976 to 1987. Subsequently, Wall became a Professor in the Department of Fine Arts at the University of British Columbia, where he taught from 1987 to 1999, sharing his expertise and passion for art with aspiring artists and scholars.
The 1980s marked a period of significant recognition for Wall's work. In 1982, he exhibited at "Documenta 7" in Kassel, Germany, gaining international acclaim. The Renaissance Society in Chicago hosted his first solo exhibition in the United States in 1983. Throughout the years, his work was showcased in prestigious institutions worldwide, including the Institute of Contemporary Arts in London, the Kunsthalle Basel, and the Louisiana Museum of Modern Art in Denmark.
Wall's contributions to the art world were celebrated with numerous awards and honors. In 2001, he received the Paul de Hueck and Norman Walford Career Achievement Award for Art Photography from the Ontario Arts Council. The following year, he was awarded the Erna and Victor Hasselblad Foundation International Award in Photography in Sweden. In 2003, Wall received the Roswitha Haftmann-Preis in Switzerland, further cementing his status as a leading figure in contemporary photography.
In 2007, the Museum of Modern Art in New York organized a comprehensive retrospective of Wall's work, which subsequently traveled to the Art Institute of Chicago and the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art. Throughout the years, retrospectives and exhibitions have continued to showcase Wall's innovative approach to photography, affirming his enduring influence on the art world.
THE Storyteller
3. Jeff Wall, In from of a nightclub, 2006, Transparency in lightbox,
226 x 360,8 cm, Courtesy of the artist, © Jeff Wall
Jeff Wall emerges as a beacon of intentional contemplation. His photographs, mounted moments of everyday life, serve as entrance to a realm where time slows, demanding not just attention but immersion. In this digital age, where images gleam across screens and vanish from memory in an instant, Wall’s work stands as a testament to the power of observation. Wall’s compositions, reminiscent of the grand narrative paintings of the past centuries, occupy a unique space between the halls of the museum and the streets of the town. Like the Salon painters of the 19th century, he captures scenes of life infused with social and political struggles.
At the heart of Wall’s practice lies a deliberate subversion of traditional photographic norms. Through his use of staged scenes and digital montages, he transcends the boundaries of documentary photography, embracing the fluidity of cinematic storytelling. His images, once confined to the realm of backlit transparencies, have revolutionized the aesthetic possibilities of color photography, blurring the line between art and advertising. Yet, for all its innovation, Wall’s work remains rooted in the timeless power of visual storytelling. By relinquishing the urge to impose narrative upon his images, he invites viewers to become active participants in the act of interpretation, challenging them to weave their own stories from the tapestry of his creations.
Informations about the exhibition
Place: Fondation Beyeler
Date: 28.1.2024 - 21.4.2024
Curators: Martin Schwander and Charlotte Sarrazin
Ticket: Available online OR at the front desk of the museum
Informations about the Fondation Beyeler
Baselstrasse 101
CH-4125 Riehen/Basel
Phone: +41 61 645 97 00
Fax: +41 61 645 97 19
Mail: info@fondationbeyeler.ch