Comics author Alison Bechdel (b. 10.9.1960, Lock Haven, Pennsylvania, USA) became known to a wide audience through her graphic novel and ‘New York Times’ bestseller ‘Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic’, published in 2006. This masterpiece, which was named Book of the Year by ‘Time’ magazine in 2006 and went on to achieve worldwide success and acclaim, focuses on Bechdel’s family history and relationship with her father, which was shaped by his repressed bisexuality.

Six years later, her second autobiographical story, ‘Are You My Mother? – A Comic Drama’, shed light on her complex and confusing relationship with her mother. Both are touching books, with references to classic literature, incorporation of psychological findings, and clever analysis characterised by honesty, insight and humour. Alison Bechdel is also the author of the queer comic strip ‘Dykes to Watch Out For’, which first appeared in newspapers in 1983, and has also been published in several compilation volumes. Readers of this intelligent and witty soap opera follow the everyday lives of a group of friends in a medium-sized city in the USA. At the same time, the mostly lesbian friends, some befriended males and their experiences are interwoven with social and political themes, in sophisticated and accessible ways. This comic strip also introduced what later became known as the ‘Bechdel test’, a tongue-in-cheek way to assess gender stereotypes in cinema: A film is sexist if it does not feature at least two separate female characters, who talk to each other about something other than men.

Cartoonmuseum Basel is presenting Europe’s first ever major retrospective on this artist, whose accolades include the Eisner Award. Ink drawings from all her works are on display, complemented by originals from her most recent book, ‘The Secret to Superhuman Strength’, a surprisingly colourful self-reflective work about exercise, addiction, the search for meaning and the author’s efforts to slow down the clock of life. Also, as a special treat for all fans, there are as-yet-unpublished extracts from a comedy that is due for release in 2025.

Vernissage: Friday, 4 .7.2025, 6.30pm
Press conference: Thursday, 3.7.2025, 11am
Curator: Anette Gehrig