The cultural scene in Lausanne is enriched by a unique venue entirely dedicated to female creativity. Designed as a living space, the Museum of Women Artists (MAF) – the first of its kind in Switzerland – invites visitors to discover powerful works, committed careers and a diverse vision of contemporary art.
One museum, two complementary spaces
The exhibition is divided between two venues, each with its own distinct identity. The Espace Berger houses works of art and a space designed as a place of memory and transmission. The Espace Louve, dedicated to temporary exhibitions, takes its name from both the street on which it is located and the maternal imagery it evokes. The wolf, a figure of motherhood and the stem cell, becomes a metaphor for creation: a place that gives birth to forms, ideas and encounters.
‘Cellules’: an organic and lively inaugural exhibition
For its opening, the museum is presenting the exhibition ‘Cellules’, which explores creation as an organic process. From the cell comes an organism, from the gesture comes the work: the artists bring the place to life as much as the place welcomes their work. The exhibition echoes Louise Bourgeois’ research into intimacy and life, while affirming a unique collective identity. Six cells, and as many worlds to discover, punctuate the journey, inviting the public to an immersive experience.
Twelve artists as spokespeople for the museum
At the heart of the project, twelve faces embody the spirit of the MAF. As spokespeople for the museum, they represent a variety of approaches and mediums, but are united by the same energy: to create, to seek, to assert. Their sensitive and committed works convey their stories, their struggles and their visions. Together, they give the museum its breath, its rhythm and its identity, a space where the diversity of practices creates harmony.
More than a museum, the MAF aims to be a space for visibility and recognition. By offering a dedicated setting for female artists, it contributes to rebalancing perspectives and enriching the contemporary cultural narrative. With this opening, Lausanne confirms its role as a dynamic cultural destination, where heritage and creation have always been in dialogue.
