When you think of surrealists, you’ll probably name people like Breton, Dali, Ernst and Magritte – to mention but a few.
French and Belgian artists who, in the aftermath of World War 1, began depicting unnerving and illogical scenes on canvas that allowed the unconscious mind to express itself.
However, just opened at Bath’s Victoria Art Gallery, is an exhibition of surrealist work created by British artists – putting their own ‘take’ on the art form following visits to Paris.
The show is from The Sherwin Family Collection, arguably the most significant collection of British Surrealism in private ownership.
It encompasses the diversity of British Surrealism and European influences, with paintings, collage, drawings, ceramics and sculpture by artists such as Max Ernst, Julian Trevelyan, F.E. McWilliam and Man Ray.
When Dreams Confront Reality: Surrealism in Britain is organised by The Hepworth Wakefield in collaboration with the Victoria Art Gallery.
I caught up with the gallery’s senior curator Katherine Wall, while the exhibition was still being installed.
The interview is illustrated with images from last night’s preview. The exhibition runs until January 7th and is free to enter for Discovery Card holders.
At the same time, exhibiting in the Small Gallery, artist Gail Mason’s work is characterised by unique exuberant gestural paintings and original prints of abstracted landscapes.
All paintings and prints are for sale.
