If you fancy dipping your toe into some Surrealism, there are worse places to start than Sussex. Surrealism is an artistic movement that developed first in Paris after WWII. Surrealist artists allow the unconscious mind to express itself, to “resolve the previously contradictory conditions of dream and reality into an absolute reality, a super-reality” (André Breton). Surrealism often divides people, who seem to either love it or hate it. Some of the work is definitely complex but Sussex is a good place to come if you want to learn a little more.
Brighton Museum and Art Gallery
Start your Surrealism journey at the Brighton Museum and Art Gallery. They have a 20th century chronological display that takes you from the Arts and Craft movement of the late 19th century through the different 20th century movements and with key pieces from each decade. It’s an easy way to put Surrealism in context and you’ll find Salvador Dali’s Mae West Lips Sofa.
Newlands Gallery in Petworth
Next stop is Newlands Gallery in Petworth, a contemporary gallery which hosts fantastic exhibitions focused on the great artists of the 20th and 21st centuries. From 14 July to 24 October 2024, there is a Leonora Carrington exhibition. Carrington was a Surrealist painter and novelist who was championed by Edward James. Some of her works also remain at West Dean. This exhibition, Rebel Visionary, examines her work in the light of her posthumous success and as an artist who broke boundaries and created imaginative new worlds.
West Dean and Monkton House
If you have time, deviate a little further west to West Dean, which was once the home and estate of one Edward James. James was a friend of Salvador Dalí and Carrington, great collector of modern art and huge supporter of the Surrealist movement. West Dean doesn’t show much trace of James now, although he is buried in the grounds of St. Roche’s Arboretum.
Together James and Dali also redesigned nearby Monkton House, that had been build for James’ parents by Lutyens in 1902. The house became famous for its lobster phone, mock bamboo downpipes, purple exterior and a clock tower which told only the day of the week. Monkton has long since been sold and is a private home and not open to the public, although you do catch tantalising glimpses of it through the hedge if you are walking the South Downs Way west of Cocking.
Charleston Farmhouse House, Firle
Time to turn eastwards now and if you have time, make a quick stop at Charleston Farmhouse near Firle. This is not a Surrealist venue but was home to the Bloomsbury set. When you get to Farleys House (see below), the influence of Charleston will become clear, and Roland Penrose was known to have visited here.
Farleys House & Gallery and the home of Lee Miller
The final stop on your whistlestop Surrealism in Sussex tour is Farleys House & Gallery in Muddles Green near Hailsham in East Sussex, and this is a showstopper. Farleys, which in 2024 is celebrating 75 years of Surrealism, was the home of Lee Miller and Roland Penrose. Miller was a Surrealist photographer, Vogue model and WWII correspondent, and Penrose was an English Surrealist painter, photographer, poet and biographer of Picasso, Miró, Man Ray and Tàpies. He was also a co-founder of the Institute of Contemporary Arts and a promoter and collector of modern art. Visitors to the house included a number of Surrealist greats including Pablo Picasso, Max Ernst, Joan Miró, Man Ray, Leonora Carrington and Dorothea Tanning to name but a few.
A tour of the house is a must. There are a number of pieces by Picasso in the kitchen, including sketches and a kitchen tile and the kitchen gives way to a bright blue hall, and is home to more works of art and sculpture. In the dining room, painted across the fireplace, and reminiscent of nearby Charleston, is a brightly coloured depiction of the Long Man of Wilmington who you can see across the fields from Farleys House. It’s utterly compelling and if you haven’t hitherto enjoyed Surrealism, this could be the start of a love affair.
The Sculpture Garden in the grounds of the house was also designed by Roland Penrose and includes the permanent collection of Miller and Penrose works as well as contemporary pieces. There are also two large galleries which host a combination of permanent collections and archives as well as work by contemporary artists.
The Surrealist tea party
If you find yourself in Sussex in August, then this could be the pinnacle of your Surrealist journey as you grab tickets to the Farleys Surrealist tea party. Dress code is Surreal, of course, and you’ll enjoy live jazz, dance and Surrealist performances on the lawns. And don’t forget to grab a copy of Lee Miller’s cookbook of Surrealist recipes from the shop before you leave.
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