A new exhibition at Hauser & Wirth Basel, titled 'Beyond Surrealism,' explores the multifaceted career of Meret Oppenheim, best known for her fur-covered teacup 'Object' (1936). The show presents a range of her work, including melancholic wartime oil paintings, elegant abstract sculptures, and later witty pieces like 'Eichhörnchen' (1970) and 'Das Auge der Mona Lisa' (1967), highlighting her refusal to be confined to any single style or movement.
This exhibition matters because it challenges the narrow legacy of Oppenheim as merely a Surrealist sculptor, showcasing her broader artistic evolution and personal history in Basel. By presenting her diverse output, the show recontextualizes her contributions to 20th-century art, emphasizing her independence and the enduring relevance of her playful, subversive approach.