Surrealist master’s work on show at The Burton at Bideford this winter

The work of an influential artist and a celebrated poet will come together at The Burton at Bideford this month with the Hayward Gallery Touring exhibition ‘Joan Miró: Painting and Poetry’.

The exhibition features 26 lithographic prints created by Miró to illustrate the writings of the celebrated French surrealist poet Robert Desnos.

One of the 20th century’s most influential and recognisable artists, Joan Miró’s highly individual style placed him at the forefront of Surrealism and Dadaism.

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Known mainly as a painter and sculptor, Miró was also a celebrated and dynamic printmaker. Through this medium the artist produced a remarkable and extensive output of book illustrations, often created for artists, writers and poets associated with the Surrealist movement.

The exhibition opens on Saturday, November 22 and runs until January 18, with admission free.

The first prints Miró ever made were illustrations for a book of poems, and literary sources would prove a constant inspiration for the artist.

Miró never considered his involvement in these books to be strictly that of an illustrator. He worked from the free expression of what the text suggested to him and embraced the process of finding the image through experiment and accident.

The exhibition will shine light on Miró’s prints and how they are not only an excellent example of the richness and variety of his print production, but also his famous experimentation with vivid colours and abstract shapes.

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Harriet Cooper, director of The Burton at Bideford, said: “The Burton is excited to present the work of internationally celebrated artist Joan Miró this autumn.

“The South West of England is home to a thriving creative community working in print and this exhibition showcases Miró’s vibrant and playful approach to the art form. Our collaboration with Hayward Gallery Touring on this project recognises The Burton’s ongoing role in bringing world-class art to North Devon, inspiring audiences young and old.”

Find out more about the exhibition and other showcases at The Burton at https://www.burtonartgallery.co.uk