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.
18 result found for "Surrealism"
Leonora Carrington
In Mexico, British Surrealist painter Leonora Carrington is a national treasure. But in her home country, she is much less well known. How did this young debutante from rural Lancashire become one of the most loved painters on the other side of the Atlantic?
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.
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.
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.
George Condo
George Condo (he/him) was born in New Hampshire in 1957. In 1979, he moved to New York City where he continues to live and work.
Aaron Johnson
Aaron Johnson (he/him) was born in 1975 in St Paul, Minnesota. He lives and works in Brooklyn, New York.
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.
Nigel Howlett
Nigel Howlett was born in 1979 in Croydon, UK, and now lives and works in London.
Hideaki Kawashima
Hideaki Kawashima (he/him) was born in 1969 in Aichi, Japan, and now lives and works in Tokyo.
Hein Koh
Hein Koh (she/her) was born in Jersey City, New Jersey, in 1976 and currently lives and works in Brooklyn, New York.
Tomoo Gokita
Tomoo Gokita (he/him) is a Japanese artist born in Tokyo in 1969, where he continues to live and work.
Scott Kahn
American artist Scott Kahn was born in 1946 in Springfield, Massachusetts and now resides in upstate New York.
Interior: Red Couch and Landscape
Chic living meets surrealism in a previously-unseen collage by Mickalene Thomas.Collage is a foundational element of Thomas’ practice, revealing the conception and intimate stages of her artistic vision. Absent of figures, the stylish interior draws us inside with amalgamation of layers. Each nook waits to be explored, adorned with eclectic patterns and injected with glitter. From the nostalgic living space to the verdant garden outside, we are led to imagine what stories could be told from within the artist’s carefully fashioned space.Reminiscent of glossy vintage magazines, the print edition is finished with silkscreen layers of metallic shimmer, high gloss and satin varnish, hand-applied glitter and a matte seal.“Collage is how I draw and see, create form and composition. It's a defining moment of learning, unlearning and redefining the concepts and images in my work.”© Mickalene Thomas, 2024, courtesy of the Artist
Stickymonger
Joohee Park, aka Stickymonger, (she/her) was born in South Korea and is now based in Brooklyn, New York.
Alake Shilling
Alake Shilling was born in 1993 in Los Angeles, California, where she continues to live and work.
Perfect All Alone Ironic
Tomokazu Matsuyama reflects on the paradoxical pleasures of solitude.In Perfect All Alone Ironic, wisteria, lilies and irises surround a contemplative lone figure. To create the edition, Matsuyama worked closely with printmakers to introduce new layers of detail to an already-intricate painting. Floral motifs traced in silver echo the lavish textiles that enshroud his lakeside subject, while snow-like spots add depth and – in contrast with verdant foliage – a sense of seasonal surrealism.Characteristic of the artist’s original paintings, an irregular outer edge adds a final stroke of arbitrariness. Prints arrive float-mounted in bespoke white frames, contoured to match.
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.
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.
