Fondation Opale

Fondation Opale is a private, non-profit contemporary art centre located in Lens, in the Swiss canton of Valais, at an altitude of 1,140 metres. It opened in December 2018 in the building previously occupied by the Fondation Pierre Arnaud, an architecturally distinctive structure designed by Jean-Pierre Emery and inaugurated in 2013, whose 250 m² of façade solar panels reflect the waters of the alpine lake and surrounding peaks. The foundation is dedicated to promoting the work of Australian Indigenous artists, drawing on the collection of its president and founder, Bérengère Primat. It is described as the only art centre in Europe devoted to contemporary Aboriginal Australian art. The foundation's exhibition spaces exceed 1,000 m² and host a major annual exhibition plus two to three shorter 'Special Focus' presentations, alongside accompanying programmes such as conferences, artist talks, concerts, performances, films, creative workshops and research. Its collection comprises more than 1,500 works, the oldest dating from 1880, with the majority being contemporary art; it grows through regular acquisitions and serves as the basis for the foundation's exhibitions, complemented by loans from collectors and public institutions. The inaugural exhibition in December 2018 was the first retrospective of photographs and films by environmentalist, photographer and activist Yann Arthus-Bertrand. Subsequent exhibitions have explored themes in contemporary Aboriginal art, creating bridges with modern and contemporary art from around the world. Fondation Opale also organises exhibitions beyond its walls, including presentations at The Menil Collection in Houston and the Musée Art et Histoire in Brussels, and publishes bilingual catalogues with publishers such as 5 Continents and Arteos.

Fondation Opale opened its doors in December 2018 in Lens, Switzerland, taking over the building of the Fondation Pierre Arnaud, which had closed. The building, designed by architect Jean-Pierre Emery and inaugurated in 2013, is located at an altitude of 1,140 metres by the lake of Louché. Its 250 m² of façade solar panels reflect the waters of the alpine lake and the surrounding peaks, integrating the building into its natural environment. The foundation was established as a private, non-profit cultural institution by Bérengère Primat, who serves as its president, and is dedicated to promoting the work of Australian Indigenous artists based on her collection. The foundation's inaugural exhibition in December 2018 was 'Yann Arthus-Bertrand – Legacy, une vie de photographe', the first retrospective of photographs and films by the environmentalist, photographer and activist. This was accompanied by Special Focus exhibitions: 'Robert Fielding' and 'Painting the Country', both running from December 2018 to March 2019. In 2019–2020, the main exhibition was 'Before Time Began', with Special Focus presentations 'Mystère et Modernité' (September–December 2019) and 'Walala Tjapaltjarri – Autoportrait' (December 2019–March 2020). The foundation also began off-site exhibitions: 'Mapa Wiya (Your Map's Not Needed): Australian Aboriginal Art from the Fondation Opale' at The Menil Collection, Houston, from September 2019 to February 2020. The 2020–2021 main exhibition was 'Résonances', with Special Focus shows 'Michael Cook – Broken Dreams' (June–September 2020) and 'Superstudio' (June 2020–April 2021). In 2021–2022, the foundation presented 'Breath of Life – La vie n'est qu'un souffle', accompanied by 'Vladimir Skoda' (June–October 2021) and 'Lena Herzog – Last Whispers: Prelude' (November 2021–April 2022). Another off-site exhibition, 'Before Time Began', was held at the Musée Art et Histoire in Brussels from October 2021 to May 2022. Subsequent main exhibitions included 'Présent fugitif' (June–November 2022), 'Rêver dans le rêve des autres' (December 2022–April 2023), 'Interstellaire' (June–November 2023), 'High five!' (December 2023–April 2024), 'Artiste Activiste Archiviste: Bernhard Lüthi invite' (June–November 2024), and 'Rien de trop beau pour les dieux' (December 2024–April 2025). The foundation has also published numerous bilingual catalogues, often in collaboration with 5 Continents Editions and Arteos, covering its exhibitions and collection.

• 2025

  Exhibition 'Rien de trop beau pour les dieux' (December 2024 – April 2025).

• 2024

  Exhibition 'Artiste Activiste Archiviste: Bernhard Lüthi invite' (June–November 2024).

• 2021

  Off-site exhibition 'Before Time Began' at Musée Art et Histoire, Brussels (October 2021 – May 2022).

• 2019

  Off-site exhibition 'Mapa Wiya' at The Menil Collection, Houston (September 2019 – February 2020).

• 2018

  Fondation Opale opens in December in the former Fondation Pierre Arnaud building.

• 2018

  Inaugural exhibition 'Yann Arthus-Bertrand – Legacy, une vie de photographe' opens.

• 2013

  Building designed by Jean-Pierre Emery inaugurated as Fondation Pierre Arnaud.

Europe's only art centre dedicated to contemporary Australian Aboriginal art, fostering dialogue between cultures through art.

• 2021

  Breath of Life – La vie n'est qu'un souffle

• 2021

  Anangu Collective – Série Gay'wu

• 2021

  Vladimir Skoda

• 2020

  Résonances

• 2019

  Before Time Began – aux origines de l'art aborigène contemporain

• 2018

  Robert Fielding

• 2018

  Yann Arthus-Bertrand, Legacy – une vie de photographe

• 2017

  Territoire du Rêve – Art aborigène contemporain

1. 1Fondation Opale official websitefondationopale.ch
2. 2À propos - Fondation Opalefondationopale.ch
3. 3Fondation Opale - Wikidatawikidata.org
4. 4Fondation Opale - Wikipédiafr.wikipedia.org