Glossary
Surrealism

Surrealism

Surrealism was a 20th-century, avant-garde movement in art and literature that aimed to unlock the imaginative power of the subconscious mind.

Surrealism, led by French poet André Breton, endeavours to transform the human experience by reconciling a rational perspective on life with the potent influence of the unconscious and dreams. Artists within this movement discover enchantment and an eerie beauty within the realm of the unexpected and the mysterious, the overlooked and the unconventional. Central to their creative pursuit is the courage to question established values and conventions, as well as an unwavering quest for freedom.

14 results found for "Surrealism"

video

George Condo

American artist George Condo was part of the it-crowd in 1980s New York, hanging out at Andy Warhold’s factory. He blends Surrealism, Cubism and Pop Art to paint his own weird and wonderful world.
George Condo
guide

What is Generative Art?

Humans have been experimenting with generative art for centuries, but Web 3.0 technology such as NFTs and smart contracts has unlocked new possibilities. Here’s what you need to know about the movement that’s shaking up the art world.
What is Generative Art?
article

Sensory Inspiration

The origin story for a new collaboration with New York legend José Parlá got us thinking about some of the unexpected places where artists find their art.
Sensory Inspiration
Artist

Aaron Johnson

Aaron Johnson (he/him) was born in 1975 in St Paul, Minnesota. He lives and works in Brooklyn, New York.

Aaron Johnson
Artist

Six N. Five

Six N. Five is the studio of Ezequiel Pini’s work, an award-winning Argentinian designer and digital artist based in Barcelona.

Six N. Five
Sculpture

GOOD THING YOU ARE NOT ALONE

Kara Joslyn’s optical illusions permeate through a multi-dimensional mirrored sculpture in GOOD THING YOU ARE NOT ALONE.

Based on an original painting, a pair of candles are suspended alight within an ornate mirror, reflecting Joslyn’s holographic techniques. Perspex layering allows natural light to flood the piece, creating the illusion of an artwork frozen in liminal space. A monochrome mirage of light and shadow compliments the mirrored layer within, empowering the piece to tread the line between surrealism and realism.

GOOD THING YOU ARE NOT ALONE
Artist

Nigel Howlett

Nigel Howlett was born in 1979 in Croydon, UK, and now lives and works in London.

Nigel Howlett
Artist

Hideaki Kawashima

Hideaki Kawashima (he/him) was born in 1969 in Aichi, Japan, and now lives and works in Tokyo.

Hideaki Kawashima
Artist

Hein Koh

Hein Koh (she/her) was born in Jersey City, New Jersey, in 1976 and currently lives and works in Brooklyn, New York.

Hein Koh
Artist

Tomoo Gokita

Tomoo Gokita (he/him) is a Japanese artist born in Tokyo in 1969, where he continues to live and work.

Tomoo Gokita
Print

RABBIT CAR ON THE HEAD

RABBIT CAR ON THE HEAD typifies Ryol’s irreverent blend of pop, fantasy and surrealism.

The titular rabbit car pays homage to a vehicle from the Japanese series, Dragon Ball. The artist explains that its position and placement wields no particular symbolism or meaning – “the fantasy of the work refers purely to its naivety.”

As well as a series of glow-in-the-dark and glitter details, each print has been hand-finished by the artist using spray paint.

RABBIT CAR ON THE HEAD
Artist

Scott Kahn

American artist Scott Kahn was born in 1946 in Springfield, Massachusetts and now resides in upstate New York.

Scott Kahn
Artist

Stickymonger

Joohee Park, aka Stickymonger, (she/her) was born in South Korea and is now based in Brooklyn, New York.

Stickymonger
Artist

Alake Shilling

Alake Shilling was born in 1993 in Los Angeles, California, where she continues to live and work.
Alake Shilling

Other words in the glossary

20th century artAbstract ArtAbstract ExpressionismAbstract IllusionismAbstract LandscapeAcrylic PaintAction PaintingAfrican art
AfrofuturismAlgorithmAntiquitiesAquatintArt NouveauArte PoveraArtificial IntelligenceArtist Appropriation
Artist CommissionArtist's Proof (AP)AssemblageAutomatismAutonomous SystemBauhausBen-Day DotsBiomorphism
Black Arts MovementBlockchainBuilt Environment Certificate of Authenticity (COA)CollagraphConceptual ArtConceptualismContemporary Art
Contemporary PerformanceCubismDadaDigital ArtDigital PrintDrypointEditionEdition Number
Edition SizeEngravingERC-1155ERC-721EtchingExpressionismFauvismFeminist Art
Film PositiveHand-finishingImmersive ArtImpressionismInstallation ArtIntaglio PrintingInteraction ArtKinetic Art
Land ArtLinocutLithographyMesh CountMezzotintMinimalismModern ArtMonotype
MontageNeo-ExpressionismNFTOffset LithographyOp ArtOpen EditionOriginal artworkOutsider Art
Performance ArtPlanographic PrintingPop ArtPost-ImpressionismPost-InternetPrinter's Proof (PP)PrintmakingProof
ReadymadeReference WorkRegistration MarksRelief printingReproductionScreen FillSelf-PortraitSilkscreen
Site-Specific ArtSmart ContractSound-on-DiscStencil PrintingStreet ArtThe SublimeTime-limited EditionUnderground Art
VR ArtworkWeb 3.0Wood EngravingWoodcut

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Your questions, answered

Parra's studio, with Parra at the centre, his back to the camera as he works on the large painting takes centre stage, showing a faceless blue woman in a striped dress, painted in red, purple, blue and teal. The studio is full of brightly coloured paints, with a large window on the right and a patterned rug across the floor under the painting.
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