Drawing Surrealism

by Leslie Jones

Drawing, often considered a minor art, was central to Surrealism from the very beginning. Automatic drawing, exquisite cadavers, and frottage are just a few of the techniques invented by Surrealists as means to tap into the subconscious realm. While previous books have examined the connection between drawings and Surrealist paintings, Drawing Surrealism is the first to recognize the medium as a fundamental form of Surrealist expression, and to explore its impact on other media as well. Surrealist collage, photography, and even paintings are presented in the context of drawing as a metaphor for innovation and experimentation. It is also the first book to encompass a wide array of artists on a global scale--from the great figures in Surrealist history to lesser-known Surrealists from Japan, Central Europe, and the Americas, where the movement had a profound and lasting effect. In addition to brilliant reproductions of drawings and other works by more than 100 artists, this volume also includes a substantial historical essay by the exhibition's curator as well as informative essays by leading scholars. This groundbreaking book offers a deep understanding of the techniques and concerns that made Surrealism such an intimate perceptual revolution.

Genres: Art

240 pages, Hardcover

First published October 25, 2012

Reviews

[Chris Browning · Rating 5 out of 5]

Superb - the essays are thoughtful and intelligent and, best of all, incredibly inspirational. And it’s lovely to have a book of surrealist art that actively tries to locate some of the more unknown and minor players in the field. A good portion of the artists reproduced here are unknown to me and I cannot wait to explore further. Apart from collage and Duchamp, my favourite surrealist art is always the pen and ink stuff because it’s my own area and thus feels more achievable. I fell deeply, deeply in love with Kurt Seligmann’s art last year and that is basically what I’m looking for - new artists who explode my mind as much as he did. And they’re all here and they’re all incredible

[The Art Book Review · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Mental illness, like Marxism, is only discussed in terms of aesthetic decisions made by the artists to remain poor, pure and true."

-- Danielle McCullough on "Drawing Surrealism"

Read the full review here:
http://theartbookreview.org/2013/02/1...

[Stephen Chase · Rating 5 out of 5]

The world's greatest drawing book!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Mills College Library]

741.9242 J779 2012

[Terence · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some great examples in here of Rayographs, Exquisite Corpses and Automatic Writing/Drawing with good essays.