Basel artist, Susanna Frey will be showing her work at Galerie A & A from April 3 to May 31 in an exhibition entitled ’Sensuality’. She talks to editor Anna Tuson about the show, and what it means to be a female artist in Switzerland from her 30 years of experience.

Expatica: What kind of work are you showing in this exhibition?

Susanna Frey: Mix-technique, which means I take one of the collected objects (wood, stone, metal, paper, horn, bones, any kind of thing) and place it in a new atmosphere with painting and areas of threads.

What is your artistic style?

It’s completely freestyle, because I mix the painting with the threads and other materials, that I have collected from all over the world while travelling.

Has it changed over time?
Yes, I always try to find new ways of working.

What does art mean to you personally?
Art can touch my soul, so I enjoy to look at the art of other artists and I also enjoy making art.

What got you interested in art?
The way from the inspiration to the realisation of the picture. The challenge for me is the way of conversion and to find a new expression.

What are the challenges and benefits of working as an artist?
The challenge is to hold the confidence in my inspiration and to to awaken feelings in the observer.

Are there challenges and benefits specific to being a woman in this industry?

With my technique it is obviously clear that the artist has to be a woman. But I think in any case the result is neutral and not specifically female. Actually the spirit of the time helps me to leave the specific way of a female way of working and to go into neutral parts. I think there are no specific benefits as a woman, I think the most important thing is the work itself.

What’s it like being an artist in Switzerland?
There is a good economic background in Switzerland, which is necessary for business in art.

What is the art scene like in Basel?
Basel is a city of art and I realise the openness and curiosity of people here.

- Galerie A & A, Arts & Antiques, is located at 4153 Reinach, Corner Birsigtal-/Hauptstrasse 66.

Phone 061 711 73 73, email info@arts-and-antiques.ch, or see www.arts-and-antiques.ch for more information.

The gallery is open Wednesdays from 3 – 6pm; Thursdays from 3 – 8pm; Fridays from 3 – 6pm; and Saturdays from 11am - 4pm.

Anna Tuson - expatica 2008