Crispin Howarth on Pacific Art and the Surrealists

Listen to Crispin Howarth, Curator, Pacific Arts, speak on the influence of Pacific Art on Surrealism, to mark 100 years since André Breton (1896-1966) wrote his first Surrealist Manifesto.

In 1924, the Surrealist Manifesto stated, 'look to Oceania'. This talk focusses on the influence of Pacific art on European Surrealist artists in the twentieth century. What were artists such as Max Ernst (1891-1976), Joan Miro (1893-1983) and André Breton were drawn to in the Pacific? How were Pacific arts appropriated and what did the Surrealists know about their original context?

Art Talks is a free weekly program. Hear from artists, curators and experts on the works in our collection and exhibition program. This Art Talk is part of a series focused on sculpture.