The beautiful in the average - artworks »that are simply beautiful«.

On 4 February, the Kunstmuseum Bern will present an accrochage of works by Jean-Frédéric Schnyder (*1945) from its own collection. None other than the artist himself made the selection for the exhibits - and arranged them into a large installation. Schnyder, who was born in Basel and grew up in Bern, is considered an autodidact who advanced to become a visual artist under the motto »everything is worthy of a picture«. In the solo exhibition, 68 works can be seen, which are mainly drawn from Schnyder's early work of the years 1967 to 1985. One focus is on his series of paintings - it is the artist's most comprehensive show to date.

Schnyder draws the viewer in above all with his authenticity. He depicts banal everyday objects as he goes in search of »the beautiful in the average«. He made objects out of chewing gum, plastic, incense sticks, tin and banana boxes and painted motorways, fabric softener bottles or his own dog. There is no deeper meaning, Schnyder himself says that he simply wants to create works of art that are »simply beautiful and give pleasure«. The solo show ends on 29 May. It represents a cooperation with the Kunsthalle Bern, which will focus on Schnyder's current work between 25 February and 15 May. In addition, both events are embedded in an extensive supporting programme, which includes, for example, an evening walk on 15 March.