My Protagonists

Curated by Simone Neuenschwander

The focus of the group exhibition My Protagonists is figurative art, which has occupied a central position since modernity, especially since the 1980s. Departing from idealized representations, bodies often appear distorted, exaggerated, or placed in absurd contexts. They mirror the contradictions of the present and reflect the tensions between individuality and society. These are also conveyed through the prominent role of communication – both among the figures themselves and in their visual engagement with viewers. How do these forms of communication manifest in the work of a younger generation of artists?

My Protagonists is dedicated to these communicative relationships – both within and beyond the works. Across media ranging from painting to installation, the artists present figures who tell their own stories and address us directly as counterparts. “Protagonist,” from the Greek, means “the first fighter on the stage,” and their counterparts are the antagonists – “those who act in opposition.” Theatrical stagings are integral to their appearance: they are active figures who immerse themselves in fictional worlds while remaining anchored in real-world behavior.

The invited artists depict figures that express a range of emotions, such as humor, love, and fear. The stylistic language of comics, in particular, articulates these emotions in heightened and immediate ways (Catherine Biocca, Jonathan Penca). At the same time, gender roles are questioned and social conventions addressed (Elif Saydam, Noemi Pfister, Lea von Wintzingerode). The featured protagonists reject static portrayals and instead reveal figurative transformations (Diego Kohli). In doing so, they challenge viewers to resist categorization and rigid systems.