Surrealism Beyond Borders ★★★★★ Tate Modern | Feb 24 - Aug 29, 2022


When most of us consider surrealism, we think of a European movement and come up with a few, very familiar names such as Dali and Magritte. Here is a groundbreaking exhibition that is bound to dramatically expand your sense of this artistic approach and its impact on the world. Surrealism is often seen as a challenge to rationalism and the supremacy of the conscious mind; truth is found in objects and creations celebrating irrational juxtapositions with images dredged from the subconscious. However, the movement also attacks dominant personal, social, and political definitions. It speaks a language of the individual, the unconventional and the anti-colonial. This is an art of rebellion, even resisting such universal constraints as time and space. In parallel, the exhibition itself demonstrates both the ongoing and widespread power of the surrealist paradigm. With works from over 50 countries and spanning 60 years, Surrealism is a deeper, richer vein of expression than might have been previously considered. From Cecilia Porras and Enrique Grau's photographs of Colombia, to works from Sri Lanka and Korea, this is a global movement and extends into the present via works like Ted Joans' 36-foot drawing, Long Distance, created from 1976 to 2005. No one should miss this thoughtfully curated exhibition that will not only enlarge and broaden the visitor's sense of an artistic movement, but will also offer some fresh and provocative perspectives on how we comprehend our world.

Rated: ★★★★★

Reviewed by J.C.
Image: Eugenio Granell The Magical Blazons of Tropical Flight 1947. Colección Fundación Eugenio Granell, Santiago de Compostela © 2022 Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York / VEGAP, Madrid. Photo by Margen Fotografía

When, Where, Getting there:

Most Popular

King of Pangea ★★ King's Head Theatre | Jun 7 - Jul 6, 2025

St. Martin in-the-fields: Lunchtime Concerts ★★★★ FREE

Intimate Apparel ★★★★★ Donmar Warehouse | Jun 20 - Aug 9, 2025

Stereophonic ★★★★ Duke of York's Theatre | May 24 - Oct 11, 2025

Edward Burra - Ithell Colquhoun ★★★★ Tate Britain | Jun 13 - Oct 19, 2025

Head First Acrobats – GODZ ★★★ Sadler's Wells Peacock Theatre | June 11 - 14, 2025

Showmanism ★★★ Hampstead Theatre | Jun 18 - Jul 12, 2025

The Ministry of Lesbian Affairs ★★★ Kiln Theatre | Jun 13 - Jul 12, 2025

Summer Exhibition 2025 ★★★★ Royal Academy of Arts | Jun 17 - Aug 17, 2025

4.48 Psychosis ★★★★ Royal Court Theatre | Jun 12 - Jul 5, 2025

The City Life Magazine | Reviews & Ratings