Having recently returned from Toronto I have been reflecting on the surrealism and design show which I saw at the Art Gallery of Ontario. This is a traveling exhibit and is well worth seeing if it comes to your city. It features a wide range of items and paintings from artists and designers epitomizing the surrealist movement in the 30’s and 40’s. I saw two paintings by René Magritte and several by Salvador Dali that I had never seen in any art book or other museum collection. The exhibit included furniture by Isamu Noguchi; jewelry by Dali; apparel by Elsa Schiaparelli, sculpture by Joseph Breitenbach; set designs for ballet by Joan Miro and Andre Breton among many other wondrous things. Here is a copy of the painting “Mae West’s face which may be used as a surrealist apartment” by Salvador Dali.
Mae West's Face which may be Used as a Surrealist Apartment
So where are the great surrealist artists today? Camille Patha comes to mind, although she is primarily an abstract impressionist these days. I am disappointed in so much art and yearn for a new renaissance, no matter the direction. My own feeble attempts to emulate the greats of bygone days will have to keep me occupied. Here is a recent surrealist work entitled Claudia’s Strange Persona, without apologies or explanations…..enjoy.
Claudia's Strange Persona
Robzentaur1's Blog 