Course overview

One hundred years ago, Andr茅 Breton published his Manifesto of Surrealism, officially starting one of the most influential movements of the 20th century. This short course (2 x 2 hours) is an introduction to Surrealist art, and an occasion to dive right in the surreal world of dreams and the unconscious. We will explore the works of iconic artists like Max Ernst, Salvador Dal铆 and Ren茅 Magritte, while learning about key techniques like automatism and collage. We will see how Surrealism challenges reality and sparks creativity. No experience needed, just bring your imagination!

Course description

Dive into the enigmatic and dreamlike world of Surrealist painting, photo, and sculpture, where the boundaries of reality and imagination blur. These two sessions offer an introduction to the movement, presenting its origins, techniques, and philosophy. Through guided discussions, you鈥檒l uncover the works of key artists like Max Ernst, Meret Oppenheim, Salvador Dal铆, Yves Tanguy, Ren茅 Magritte, and Leonora Carrington, delving into how they used dreams, the unconscious mind, and unexpected juxtapositions to challenge conventional thinking. You鈥檒l learn about Surrealist techniques such as automatism, frottage, and collage, discovering how these methods sparked creativity without logical constraints. By the end, you'll gain a deeper appreciation of Surrealism's profound influence on modern art and culture, and perhaps even awaken your own inner surrealist!

What financial support is available?

We don't want anything to stand in your way when it comes to bringing Adult learning within reach so if you need anything to support you to achieve your goals then speak to one of our education experts during your enrolment journey. Most of our courses are government funded but if you don't qualify or need alternative financial help to access them then let us know.

What other support is available?

All of our digital content, teaching and learning activities and assessments are designed to be accessible so if you need any additional support you can discuss this with the education experts during your enrolment journey and we will do all we can to make sure you have optimal access.

Share this page:

Lady giving a thumbs up to her tablet as she watches a WEA member lecture
Image overlay triangle

Become a WEA member today

WEA membership is changing: more information is coming soon!

Need more information?

Need help? Complete our form and our friendly Support Services team will be back in touch.

Course contact
I am most interested in (tick all that apply)

How do we use the information we gather from you?
Please see our privacy policy.