Rose Wylie has long been considered one of the highest-profile artists in British contemporary painting, even though—it’s hard to believe—she achieved her international breakthrough just before her eightieth birthday. Out of a broad repertoire of motifs from pop culture, newspaper reports, and everyday life, the artist distills succinct scenes that humorously, yet critically, comment upon current events. In the process, Wylie impressively demonstrates how lighthearted and natural painting today can be. Her large paintings are touching, with their rare sense of ease and playful naivete. With energy and relish they tell of life and death, love and loss, joy and sorrow. And suddenly, surprisingly, the traditional themes of art history descend from their pedestals and meet us at eye level.

ROSE WYLIE (*1934, Kent) studied painting at the Folkestone School of Art, Kent, and at the Royal College of Art, London. Her works can be found in prominent collections, such as the Hammer Museum, Los Angeles; the National Museum of Women in the Arts in Washington, D.C.; Space K, Seoul; and Tate, London. Her exhibitions include one at the Tate in 2013 and another at the Serpentine Gallery in 2017. Wylie’s show at the Museum Langmatt marks the first time her work will be seen in Switzerland.