Partner Event - Unconscious Visions: Dreams on Paper
Our Partners Hidden Gallery are hosting a one-of-a-kind exhibition this September, featuring original and hand-signed prints by the major pioneers of Surrealism. Read on to find out more!
101 years after the revolutionary ‘Surrealist Manifesto’ was published, Hidden Gallery is delighted to celebrate one of Modern art’s most important movements with an extraordinary new collection of museum-quality, original artworks.
Rare and hand-signed prints will be available to purchase by the four master Surrealists - Joan Miró, Salvador Dalí, Rene Magritte and Marc Chagall. Art enthusiasts and collectors alike are invited to step back in time to a fascinating period in art history.
[Bristol, 6th August 2025] - For just two weeks, Hidden Gallery is thrilled to exhibit a one-of-a-kind exhibition of original and hand-signed prints by the major pioneers of Surrealism: Joan Miró, Salvador Dalí, René Magritte and Marc Chagall. This September marks the 101-year anniversary of the ‘Surrealist Manifesto’, establishing the beginning of one of Modern art’s most significant advancements. Hidden’s astonishing new collection of museum-quality artworks promises to bring the heart of the movement to Bristol, celebrating the Surrealists’ profound influence.
“The Surrealists epitomised the avant-garde,” says Amy Hampshire, senior manager of Hidden Gallery. “Their contributions to literature, philosophy and fine art opened the public’s eyes to a rarely traversed world of unconscious thought.” Through uncanny, poetic imagery – from melting clocks to never-ending dreamscapes – contributing artists aimed to unveil how rich our imaginations truly are. By extension, they hoped to inspire change in a world recovering from World War I.”
Salvador Dalí: The Face of Surrealism
Dalí's name is synonymous with Surrealism. He pushed the genre into new realms with his completely innovative imagery. The artist was a polymath, championing a variety of media including painting, performance and sculpture. He developed his supreme draughtsmanship through a lifelong devotion to printmaking, producing close to 1,700 editions. Techniques such as lithography, etching and woodcut perfectly enabled the artist to advance his world-famous graphic language.
Dalí was unconventional and even performative in his approach to printmaking. He was known to fill snail shells with printers’ ink and fire them at his printing plates using a 15th century musket. There are also accounts of him filling rhinoceroses' horns with ink-soaked bread before using them to daub patterns onto the printing plate.
Amongst the exhibition highlights are two lithographs from his seminal portfolio ‘Conquest of the Cosmos’ (1975), which delves into his passion for all things scientific. Inspired by the Space Race, Dalí fantasised about the cosmos and considered the conquest of space to be humanity’s greatest task.
René Magritte’s Mystical Motifs
Magritte created some of Surrealism’s most evocative imagery. He is best known for his depictions of displaced objects in unusual, often alien contexts. In his paintings and prints, the boundaries between reality and representation become slippery. Magritte encourages the viewer to question their own lived experience.
Hidden is excited to exhibit ten outstanding lithographs, which feature some of Magritte's most magnificently surreal imagery. Originating from the coveted portfolio ‘La Philosophie et la Peinture de René Magritte’ (1979-80), these lithographs were made after some of Magritte's most essential paintings and include a plethora of iconic motifs, such as luminous clouds, apples and his famous bowler hats.
Each print bears Magritte's stamped signature as well as the hand-signature of his wife Georgette Magritte.
The Sublime Works of Miró
Miró's biomorphic imagery was considered by André Breton, the father of Surrealism, to be the purest embodiment of the movement. Artists involved in Surrealism experimented with ‘automatism’, a process of creating art without rational thought in order to liberate the unconscious. This was a method frequently used by Miró. He was often inspired by his own hallucinations, imbuing his abstract compositions with an otherworldly quality.
Printmaking was as important to the artist as painting, and the two practices continually informed one another. His lithographs, etchings and aquatints are widely regarded as some of the most essential prints produced by any artist during the 20th century. They can be found in the collections of numerous international museums. For the occasion of Hidden’s new exhibition, a selection of the artist’s finest prints will be on display for a limited time only.
Marc Chagall’s Angelic Imagery
Chagall may not have been a dedicated member of Surrealism, but he took a lot of inspiration from his contemporaries. Surreal influences are woven into his complex, multi-layered depictions of angels, floating lovers, religious imagery and flora.
Printmaking was integral to Chagall’s practice and during his lifetime he produced over 1000 lithographs and over 500 etchings. Ever the perfectionist, each project was a meticulous, painstakingly refined labour of love. Some of the most dazzling artworks on display will be a selection of jewel-like lithographs created by Chagall in 1957 to accompany a scholarly text by the French historian, art critic and curator Jacques Lassaigne.
Museum-quality artworks available to purchase
“Hidden specialises in the greatest household names of the twentieth century, and we are delighted to shine a spotlight on the main maestros of Surrealism,” says Hampshire. “Their work continues to capture people’s imaginations and both artists and the public certainly turn to Surrealism during fractured times. There could therefore not be a more appropriate time to consider their influence. Our gallery’s latest acquisitions will enable our visitors to immerse themselves in an extraordinary era of art history – perhaps even taking home their very own surreal masterpiece.”
Bristol’s Number One Destination for Collectors
Hidden prides itself on bringing extraordinary art within reach. Since opening its doors in 2015, Hidden’s gallery in Bristol has established itself as one of the city’s most essential art destinations. Hidden has garnered a reputation for not only exhibiting outstanding original artworks but also enabling both seasoned collectors and art enthusiasts alike to build their own museum-quality collection.
About Hidden Gallery
Hidden Gallery is a contemporary art gallery located in Bristol, England. The gallery offers original and hand-signed prints by a wide range of artists, including Warhol, Hockney, Emin, Picasso and many more.
Founded in 2015, Hidden specialises in rare artworks on paper by household names of the 20th and 21st century. Hidden Gallery has garnered a well-deserved reputation as a leader in the field of art bought for pleasure and investment. With over 30 years of experience, Hidden have guided countless enthusiasts in starting and expanding their collections, catering to various tastes and budgets.
Location: Hidden Gallery, 6-8 The Clifton Arcade, Boyce’s Avenue, Clifton, BS8 4AA
Dates: 18th September – 1st October 2025
Private view: 18th September, 6 – 8pm
Gallery Hours: Mon to Sat 10am - 5pm; Sun 11am - 4pm Email: hello@hiddengallery.co.uk
Tel: 0117 279 6402
Website: hiddengallery.co.uk