Visual artist Ingeborg Lüscher, celebrated as the grand dame of contemporary art, opens an exhibition at SLEEK Art Space on 26 June. In an interview with art historian Sebastian C. Strenger, she discusses her career trajectory from actress to artist, her influences from Fluxus and Nouveau Réalistes, and pivotal moments such as the Prague Spring in 1968 and encountering Joseph Beuys's work. Lüscher was featured at Documenta in 1972 and 1992, the Venice Biennale in 2001, and recently received the Hans Platschek Prize for Art and Writing. Her current exhibition, The Magnificent Seven⁺, is also on view at Galerie BASTIAN Paris, with a forthcoming show at the Centre Culturel Suisse.
This article matters because it offers a rare, personal insight into the life and creative evolution of a significant but perhaps under-recognized figure in contemporary art. Lüscher's journey—from rejecting conventional roles to embracing self-realization through art—reflects broader shifts in the art world toward conceptual and performance-based practices. Her inclusion in major events like Documenta and the Venice Biennale underscores her enduring relevance, while the interview format provides a valuable primary source for understanding the motivations and historical context behind her work.