Here at Art Smart, we tackle a lot of art movements. So far, we've covered Expressionism, Realism, Cubism, Abstract Art, and Impressionism. There's so much more to be discovered, and one more art movement that we will talk about is Surrealism.
Surrealism is an art movement that started in the year 1924 and ended in 1966. It was founded by a small group of Parisian artists who wanted to channel the unconscious as a means to unlock the power of the imagination.
If you love drawing inspiration for your paintings from your imagination and your dreams, then you might be a surrealist in the making! Surrealists painted from their unconscious minds, which explains why surrealist art is a wee bit difficult to describe. You need to have a brief understanding of who the artist is, where his emotions are coming from, and what his experiences are that led him to such an artwork. Often, the works of surrealists were unnerving, illogical even, and is only understandable to the artist who made it. Surrealist work has the capacity of surprising and it started out as largely influenced by stories of myth and primitivism, which were prevalent in the early 1920s.
Surrealism is an art movement that started in the year 1924 and ended in 1966. It was founded by a small group of Parisian artists who wanted to channel the unconscious as a means to unlock the power of the imagination.
If you love drawing inspiration for your paintings from your imagination and your dreams, then you might be a surrealist in the making! Surrealists painted from their unconscious minds, which explains why surrealist art is a wee bit difficult to describe. You need to have a brief understanding of who the artist is, where his emotions are coming from, and what his experiences are that led him to such an artwork. Often, the works of surrealists were unnerving, illogical even, and is only understandable to the artist who made it. Surrealist work has the capacity of surprising and it started out as largely influenced by stories of myth and primitivism, which were prevalent in the early 1920s.
Photo source: http://all-that-is-interesting.com/most-iconic-surrealist-paintings
The most popular of surrealist paintings in art history is this work of Salvador Dali entitled The Persistence of Memory. The clocks seem to be soft, melting, and dripping away, which reflects the thoughts of Salvador Dali about time - that time, as we know it, is fading and meaningless.
The most popular of surrealist paintings in art history is this work of Salvador Dali entitled The Persistence of Memory. The clocks seem to be soft, melting, and dripping away, which reflects the thoughts of Salvador Dali about time - that time, as we know it, is fading and meaningless.
Photo source: en.wikipedia.org
Another one from Salvador Dali is this painting he entitled the Metamorphosis of Narcissus. Owing to the popularity of mythical tales as we've mentioned earlier, this surrealist painting depicts the tale of the Greek character, Narcissus, an egotistical man who admired the reflection he saw of himself on a puddle of water.
Photo source: www.albrightknox.org
Another important art from the Surrealist movement is this one by Joan Miró in 1924. This is entitled the Harlequin's Carnival. Like most surrealists, Miró relied on dream-like imagery and also biomorphism.
What is biomorphism?
Biomorphism or biomorphic shapes are art elements that resemble organic beings, but are hard to classify as any specific thing. Biomorphic shapes tend to self-generate and play on the canvas. Like most of his works, Miró used automatic writing techniques, such as doodling, as the starting point for his canvas for Harlequin's Carnival. It's very abstract, isn't it?
Surrealist art is probably one of the most recognizable art movements in history because of its unique style and technique, but it is also one that is hard to categorize and define. Artists have their own recurring motifs based on the dreams they have, which are unique to every person.
Interesting, right? :)
Interesting, right? :)
To learn more about the different movements that shape art as we know it today, do join us in our art classes here at Art Smart!. Check out our year-round schedules below and contact us at any of our details here for any inquiries you may have. See you in our studios!
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