Introduction to Surrealism

What Is an Art Movement?

Surrealism is an art movement.
An art movement is a group of
artists who use similar styles.

A French poet began surrealism
during the 1920s. At first, the
surrealist group was only for
writers and poets but artists were
later allowed to join. Artists were
encouraged to express their
thoughts through their art,
without any rules or limits. It was
a chance for them to go beyond
the real world.

Surrealist Art

In surrealist art, imagination and dreams were very important to the artists.
Objects not normally seen together were painted in the same piece or
various shapes, lines and colours were used.

Talk About It What aspects of
this painting make it look like
real life?

What makes it look like it is a
dream or from the artist’s
imagination?

“Creation of the Birds” by artfann is licensed under FAIR USE.

‘Creation of the Birds’ by

Remedios Varo, 1957

For educational use only

Open Ended

What aspects of this painting make it look like real life?

Open Ended

What makes it look like it is a dream or from the artist’s imagination?

Surrealist Art

Did You Know…? Automatism was one method that many
surrealist artists used. It involved drawing or painting without
thinking about what you are making - a bit like doodling.

‘Automatic Drawing’ by Jean Arp, 1916

Draw

Doodle anything that comes to your mind

Salvador Dalí

Salvador Dalí was born in 1904 in
Spain. His family encouraged his
interest in art.

After studying at art school and having
his first art exhibition in Barcelona, he
went to France. There, he met other
surrealist artists.

In his artwork, Dalí mixed dreams and
real objects which would sometimes
change shape or be arranged in an
unusual way. He created
sculptures, photographs
and paintings.

art exhibition: To show works of art for
people to see. It is usually in a museum
or art gallery.
sculpture: 3D art made from materials,
such as wood, metal, stone, clay, etc.

Salvador Dalí

“[ D ] Salvador Dali - Madonna Microphysique (1954)’’by cea+ is licensed under CC BY 2.0 and FAIR USE.

‘Dalí Atomicus’ by Salvador Dalí and

Philippe Halsman, 1948

‘Microphysical Madonna’

by Salvador Dalí, 1954

Salvador Dalí

Did You Know…? This is the Dalí
Theatre-Museum in the town where Dali
grew up. Here you will find many of his
pieces of art. It was designed by Dalí
himself!

Talk About It What do
you notice about the
style of the building?

“Dali Museum’’ by Nik is licensed under CC BY 2.0and FAIR USE.

Méret Oppenheim

Méret Oppenheim was born in Germany in
1913. After moving to Switzerland with her
family, she studied art and moved to Paris.
There, she met other surrealist artists.

Oppenheim’s artwork were often
assemblages of everyday items. Her
most famous piece of art is a sculpture of
a teacup, saucer and a spoon covered in
fur.

assemblage: A collection of things.

Talk About It
Can you think of another everyday object
that would look strange covered in fur?

"Object (Le Déjeuner en fourrure)"by yigruzeltil is licensed under FAIR USE.

‘Object (Le Déjeuner en

fourrure)’ by Méret
Oppenheim, 1936

For educational use only

Word Cloud

Can you think of another everyday object that would look strange covered in fur?

Méret Oppenheim

Talk About It
Do you keep a dream diary?

Did You Know…?
Oppenheim kept a dream diary which
helped her with ideas for her art.

"Stone Woman’’ by xennex is licensed under FAIR USE.

"Table with Bird’s Feet’’ by yigruzeltil islicensed under FAIR USE.

"The Couple’’ by yigruzeltil is licensed under FAIR USE.

‘Stone Woman’ by
Méret Oppenheim,

1938

For educational

use only

‘Table with Bird's

Feet’ by Méret

Oppenheim, 1939

For educational

use only

‘The Couple’ by

Méret Oppenheim,

1956

For educational

use only

Leonora Carrington

Leonora Carrington was a
surrealist artist who was born in
1917 in England. As a child,
she had been told many folk
tales which she would later use
as inspiration for her art.

folk tale: A very old story from a particular place, that was told from one
person to another.

"The Giantess’’ by yigruzeltil is licensed under FAIR USE.

‘The Giantess’ by

Leonora Carrington,

1950

For educational

use only

When Carrington studied art in London, she met
Max Ernst. Together, they moved to Paris and
joined other surrealist artists.

She later moved to the USA and carried on
creating art with other surrealist artists.
Carrington spent the rest of her life in Mexico.

Leonora Carrington

Carrington loved animals which also inspired her work.

Talk About It What animals can you spot in these pieces?

‘Self-Portrait (Inn of the Dawn
Horse)’ by Leonora Carrington,

1937-1938

For educational use only

"Self-Portrait (Inn of the Dawn Horse)’’by xennex is licensed under FAIR USE.

"The Artist Traveling Incognito’’by yigruzeltil is licensed under FAIR USE.

‘The Artist Traveling Incognito’

by Leonora Carrington, 1949

For educational

use only

Reflection

Talk About It
Do you like surrealist art? Why?

If you could ask one artist a question
about their work, what would it be?

Try It
Why not have a go at creating a piece
of surrealist artwork based on a dream
or your imagination? What would it
include?