Surrealism
An introductory study of Australian artists
A lesson plan to introduce students to the international Surrealist art movement of the 1920’s and its influence on a number of Australian artists who adopted it to convey their strong feelings about war, politics and philosophy in the early 20th century. Students will be able to identify the differences between conventional and Surrealist works of art, understand that Surrealism focuses on the exploration of the subconscious mind; through the use of subversion and juxtaposition, distorted imagery, symbolism and elements of dream-like fantasy.
Overview
Curriculum Connections
Cross-curriculum priorities: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander histories and cultures, Asia and Australia's engagement with Asia Learning area: Visual Arts. General capabilities: Critical and creative thinking, personal and social cabability, Intercultural understanding, Ethical understanding, Literacy
Themes
Surrealism, Dada, subconscious, dreams, responses to war
Art & Artists
Featured
Objects in a landscape
1936
The citadel
1945
Victory girls
1943
Paysage [Landscape]
1927
Sunbathers
1944
Silver and grey
1969-70
Man wearing a bowler hat
1945
Surrealist study
1938
Doll's head and goat's skull
c. 1937
Spain
1951
The attitude of lightning towards a lady-mountain
1939
not titled [P19, organic machine with suspended shape in electro-magnetic field]
1949
Orphée
1948
Ghost gum
c.1948
Roi, reine et fou [King, queen and bishop]
1929-30
