Dali and the Surrealists

Overview

Masterpieces from surrealism's biggest names will land in the capital next summer, including works from legendary Spanish artist Salvador Dalí. Exhibiting at Te Papa's Toi Art from 12 June to 31 October, 2021, Dalí and the Surrealists arrives by way of Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen in Rotterdam.

The exhibition will be the largest collection of Surrealist art ever to be shown in New Zealand. Highlighting the breadth and richness of Surrealist work through paintings, photography, sculpture, books, prints, design, and film, it will feature a world-class collection from Dalí, plus pieces from Max Ernst, Marcel Duchamp, Leonora Carrington and René Magritte set to shock, provoke, and delight.

The exhibition consists of 180 works spanning from 1920 to 1960. Visitors will be able to see iconic Surrealist works such as Dalí's Mae West Lips Sofa, a playful couch shaped as a lush pair of red lips, and René Magritte's La maison de verre (The glass house) — an uncanny masterpiece in which a man's face looks out from the back of his head.

Te Papa Head of Art Charlotte Davy says, "Visitors will be struck by the power of Surrealist ideas which are still incredibly relevant today – both politically and as an influence on contemporary artists."

Image: Studio Tromp, Salvador Dalí, Fundació Gala-Salvador Dali/VEGAP.