Leonora Carrington

Synopsis

This book remains the definitive survey of the life and work of Surrealist artist Leonora Carrington (1917-2011).

Carrington burst onto the Surrealist scene in 1936, when, as a precocious nineteen-year-old debutante, she escaped the stultifying demands of her wealthy English family by running away to Paris with her lover Max Ernst. She was immediately championed by Andre Breton, who responded enthusiastically to her fantastical, dark and satirical writing style and her interest in fairy tales and the occult. Her stories were included in Surrealist publications, and her paintings in the Surrealists' exhibitions.

After the dramas and tragic separations of the Second World War, Carrington ended up in the 1940s as part of the circle of Surrealist European emigres living in Mexico City. Close friends with Luis Bunuel, Benjamin Peret, Octavio Paz and a host of both expatriate Surrealists and Mexican modernists, Carrington was at the centre of Mexican cultural life, while still maintaining her European connections.

Leonora Carrington: Surrealism, Alchemy and Art provides a fascinating overview of this intriguing artist's rich body of work. The author considers Carrington's preoccupation with alchemy and the occult, and explores the influence of indigenous Mexican culture and beliefs on her production.

Summary

Chapter 1: The Surrealist Muse

* Introduces Leonora Carrington as a prominent figure in the Surrealist movement and explores her early life, influences, and relationships with other Surrealists.
* Real example: Carrington's collaboration with Max Ernst on "The Game of the Goose," a Surrealist board game that featured imagery of fantasy and irrationality.

Chapter 2: The Dreaming Witch

* Focuses on Carrington's fascination with the subconscious and dream world, manifested in her paintings and sculptures.
* Real example: "The Giantess," a painting depicting a towering female figure surrounded by strange creatures and symbols, evoking a sense of the subconscious and the irrational.

Chapter 3: The Alchemist's Daughter

* Explores Carrington's interest in alchemy and its influence on her artistic style and themes.
* Real example: "Self-Portrait as the Bride of the Wind," a painting where Carrington portrays herself in an alchemical allegory, surrounded by symbols of transformation and rebirth.

Chapter 4: The Political Activist

* Examines Carrington's engagement with political issues, including feminism, anti-fascism, and environmentalism.
* Real example: Her participation in the Surrealist International Exhibition in London in 1936, where she exhibited works that criticized the rise of fascism and promoted gender equality.

Chapter 5: The Refugee and the Emissary

* Chronicles Carrington's experiences during World War II and her exile in Mexico, which influenced her artistic expression.
* Real example: "The Inn of the Dawn Horse," a painting that depicts a group of animals seeking refuge from the horrors of war.

Chapter 6: The Legacy of the Enchantress

* Assesses Carrington's lasting impact on the art world and discusses her influence on subsequent generations of artists.
* Real example: The ongoing popularity of her paintings and sculptures, which continue to inspire and captivate viewers.

Chapter 7: The Return of the Goddess

* Explores Carrington's fascination with mythology and her portrayal of powerful feminine figures in her work.
* Real example: "The Tower of Babel," a painting that depicts a group of women ascending a tower, symbolizing the rise of female power and liberation.