Born in Europe in the aftermath of World War I, Surrealism arrived in America shortly thereafter and was enthusiastically embraced by a broad segment of artists. Its appeal continues today. Surrealism’s goal was to release the unconscious mind’s creative potential and merge the world of dream and fantasy with reality. Each artist sought his/her/their agencies of exploration, ranging from depictions of personal tales to embracing open-ended techniques. The artworks in Mysterious and Magical reflect these diverse themes and actions and hopefully inspire personal psychic investigations and revelations.

This exhibition was organized by Elaine D. Gustafson, Curator of Collections.

Byron Browne, Composition, 1952 (detail). Gouache on paper, 26 x 20 ½ in. Weatherspoon Art Museum. Museum purchase with funds from the Dillard Paper Company for the Dillard Collection, 1980.2794. © Estate of Byron Browne