There is so much to say about Surrealism, it seems frivolous to rely solely on my own perceptions.
I believe there is a synergy that occurs when the artists and their artworks share space with each other. By identifying commonalities and honoring the differences in each narrative, artists continue defining and adding to a movement whose fluidity and capacity to hold competing ideas has led to its continued relevancy. A nod to Breton for his undeniable contributions to contemporary culture and art history seems appropriate. We acknowledge the centenary of the first manifesto which he penned 100 years ago. There is much to be said about Surrealism’s inception and unraveling, the successes and flaws of it’s most popularized contributors, and it’s global reach. For me the interest and purpose of this exhibition lies in a look into how Surrealism continues to serve as a versatile framework for a wide range of artists and thinkers to express their unique personal and cultural experiences, challenging dominant paradigms residing over our everyday lives. Surrealism embodies the idea that within each of us is the power to challenge, disrupt, and reframe reality. It is what embraces, for example, the afro futurist humanoid figure fused with an alligator in Wangechi Mutu’s cast bronze sculpture “Crocodylus”, and Méret Oppenheim’s fur teacup “Le Déjeuner en fourrure,” under the same umbrella. Surrealism is not characterised by an aesthetic or medium, making it notably different from preceding art movements that use external observation as the launching point. Instead, Surrealism asks “What happens when we turn inward and explore the depths of our creative spirit, searching for, and finding, the parts of us that have not been tainted by societal ills?” When we bring these findings to our physical reality, through paper clippings, paintstrokes, found objects, and various forms of mark making, we often see something that stands in defiance of what we witness and experience in the complexities of the world around us. Surrealist artworks may be characterised by their subtleties and uncanniness or their absurd and shocking properties. The messages in Surrealist works are emdued with the power to uplift and inspire or subvert and dismantle. It is what encourages each of us to say “This isn’t This, it’s this,” offering a new reality to those around us and insights into individual psyches. Through this exhibition, I hope the themes of Surrealism reverberate within us and our communities, within the walls of Callanwolde, across the city of Atlanta, and beyond. Let these echoes inspire us to embrace the power of imagination and creativity in challenging and reshaping our reality. -AP Faust
Made with FlippingBook flipbook maker