The work of Simone Thiele (CH) and Judith Trepp (CH/USA) engages with a fundamental question: “What constitutes a conversation?” How, and about what, do we communicate, converse, exchange ideas? A conversation unfolds with no predetermined outcome—it may be harmonious or contentious, engaging or dissonant. The dictionary defines conversation as “intimate and informal,” yet it does not prescribe a specific context. In contrast, the dialogue between Thiele’s and Trepp’s paintings and drawings takes place within the structured space of the gallery—a “white cube” where their works interact in ways both intentional and unexpected. Here, multiple conversations emerge: the exchange between the artworks and the viewer, but also an interplay between paintings and drawings themselves—an unspoken yet palpable dialogue shaped by bold juxtapositions. Despite their shared space, the artists’ practices diverge significantly. Thiele works with acrylic on canvas, creating series that maintain a consistent format. Trepp, by contrast, employs the centuries-old techniques of egg tempera and pigment tempera, exploring a dynamic range of formats. Their distinct approaches not only reveal the breadth of painterly expression but also enrich the dialogue that unfolds within the exhibition.
Thiele, a Basel-based artist, and Trepp, who arrived in Switzerland at age 28, come from markedly different backgrounds, both culturally and artistically. Their creative practices are shaped by distinct life experiences and artistic lineages. Thiele, deeply rooted in the traditions of Swiss Concrete Art and the Bauhaus, imbues her work with a dynamic yet intuitive sensibility. Trepp, by contrast, weaves together influences from American Abstract Expressionism and the disciplined rigor of Swiss Minimalism.
Despite their generational and cultural differences, their aesthetic and art-historical points of reference converge in striking ways. This exhibition brings their divergent artistic approaches—both emotional and intellectual—into dialogue, offering a compelling exploration of the generative potential of diversity and exchange. Might this, in a broader sense, also serve as a plea for dialogue in other contexts?
There will be a vernissage on March 19 from 18:00-20:00.

Website
seeyounexttuesday.ch/2025-how-about-a-conversation

Where
see you next tuesday
Rosentalstrasse 24
4058 Basel

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