de Pury & Luxembourg Zurich is proud to announce their first solo exhibition of Meret Oppenheim (1913-1985).

Consisting of over 50 works of art, this show unites oeuvres from every working period of the artist. While most of the works are for sale, we have accumulated a selection of outstanding loans that on the one hand complement the other works and on the other hand deepen the understanding of Meret Oppenheim's diverse artistic output.

Meret Oppenheim: Tierköpfiger Dämon, 1961

Uhrenkasten, neoklassizistisch, versilbertes Holz, Keramikknöpfe
59 x 35 x 45 cm
Sammlung Onnasch, Berlin

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Meret Oppenheim already spent her youth in artistic circles, spending time with artist Hugo Ball and writer Hermann Hesse for example. Through her father she got to know the theory of C.G. Jung, which inspired her to write down her dreams, something she did for the rest of her life. In 1936 she had her first solo exhibition in Basel and in 1937 she exhibited with the Surrealists in Europe, by which time she counted the likes of Alberto Giacometti, Jean Arp, Pablo Picasso. Max Ernst and André Breton to her friends.

Meret Oppenheim: Das Tragikomische, 1944

Oel auf Pavatex, 39 x 70 cm
Privatsammlung Basel

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Looking at her work from a contemporary point of view, her encounters with these artists are visible in her work but always appear with an unexpected twist and through the eyes of a truly modern woman. Nothing is what it seems, everything is multilayer and more often than not self-referential adding her unique sense of humour to even the most serious sentiments. Looking at her work today it is no surprise to see how fresh and young it seems. Meret Oppenheim was a product of her time but understood to transform the essence of her creativity into her work to the point where time almost looses its point of reference.

We are deeply grateful to her family, friends, dealers and collectors who have supported our endeavour with great enthusiasm and are happy to answer any questions regarding availability, information and visual material.

at the Opening of Meret Oppenheim at de Pury & Luxembourg, Zurich

30 August 2008
Simon de Pury with Jutta Nixdorf (Director de Pury & Luxembourg Zurich)
Very friendly people
Photo: likeyou - the artnetwork
© Centrik Isler

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