Surrealism
Definition: Surrealism is a 20th-century avant-garde movement that sought to unlock the unconscious mind through dream imagery, irrational compositions, and unexpected juxtapositions. Originating in Paris in the 1920s, it developed from Dada and was formalized through André Breton’s Surrealist Manifesto in 1924.
Surrealist artists employed techniques like automatic drawing, collage, frottage, and exquisite corpse to bypass rational control. They drew inspiration from Freudian psychology and often explored themes of sexuality, absurdity, and the subconscious.
Key artists include Salvador Dalí, René Magritte, Max Ernst, Joan Miró, and Leonora Carrington. Surrealism has influenced not only visual art but also film, literature, fashion, and contemporary design — continuing to resonate with artists interested in fantasy, psychology, and alternative realities.
