When Dreams Confront Reality: Surrealism in Britain at the Victoria Art Gallery

A major new exhibition of Surrealist art will open at the Victoria Art Gallery in Bath this month. When Dreams Confront Reality: Surrealism in Britain opens on 13 October 2023 and runs until 7 January 2024. 

This stunning exhibition celebrates the diversity of British Surrealism and its influences with works by artists including Max Ernst, Julian Trevelyan, Leonora Carrington, and Man Ray. Featuring paintings, collage, drawings, ceramics and sculptures, it offers a rare opportunity to see these artworks together in the heart of Bath.

The Victoria Art Gallery is only the second venue to host the exhibition following its debut at the Hepworth Wakefield last year. The artwork on display comes from The Sherwin Family Collection, arguably the most significant collection of British Surrealism in private ownership, which is now in the care of the Hepworth Wakefield.

Surrealism originated in Paris in 1924, in the aftermath of the First World War. British artists such as Eileen Agar, Roland Penrose and John Banting visited Paris to meet the Surrealists and went on to develop their own unique British Surrealist style. The show highlights key aspects of British Surrealism: the engagement with tumultuous political events and fantastical visual explorations of subconscious desires.

Works by talented female Surrealists who are only now receiving recognition, such as Emmy Bridgwater and Ithell Colquhoun, will be on display. Also on view will be pieces by artists working today who have been influenced by Surrealism, including Turner Prize artists Michael Dean and Helen Marten.

Councillor Paul Roper, Cabinet Member for Economic & Cultural Sustainable Development, said: “It is a privilege to host this stunning exhibition at the Victoria Art Gallery and we are delighted to be working with the Hepworth Wakefield to bring this important collection of British Surrealist art to Bath. The exhibition will be free for local Discovery Card holders, and there will be free family activities with a Surrealist theme over October half-term.”

Free October half-term activities for families include:

The Big Draw: The Surrealist drawing game - Saturday 21 October, 10.30am to 2pm
What wild and weird creatures can you come up with? Play the Surrealist artists’ drawing game and create a unique creature using pastels and card.

Surreal Sunnies or Cact-eye glasses - Tuesday 24, Thursday 26 and Friday 27 October, 10.30am to 2pm
Create cact-eye glasses for a surreal view of the exhibition. Make surreal sunglasses using colouring pens and colourful felt.

Marvellous Masks - Wednesday 25 October, 10.30am to 2pm

Make a marvellous mask of one of our Surreal characters from the exhibition. With one eye or an apple for a head, use your imagination to create a fun mask.

When Dreams Confront Reality: Surrealism in Britain is organised by The Hepworth Wakefield in collaboration with the Victoria Art Gallery. Tickets are available to book at www.victoriagal.org.uk.