Dalí’s Surreal Art Comes to India
MUMBAI — Prepare to be mesmerized as the Spanish surrealist Salvador Dalí’s masterpieces make their debut in India, despite the artist never setting foot in the country.
An exhibition in Delhi will unveil over 200 original sketches, etchings, and watercolor paintings by Dalí, curated by Christine Argillet, daughter of Pierre Argillet, a close friend and publisher of the artist.
“Dalí’s fascination with India, especially during the West’s infatuation with Indian mysticism in the 1960s and 1970s, is evident in these artworks,” states Ms Argillet in an interview with the BBC.
The collection includes sketches inspired by photographs taken by her father during a trip to India in the 1970s, when the hippie movement was at its peak and spiritual seekers from the West flocked to the country.
Dalí’s interpretation of India showcases elephants and temples, but in his signature surrealist style, they are not always immediately recognizable.
Human bodies sprout flowers, eyeballs dance, and dismembered body parts interact with the world in a captivating and enigmatic manner, inviting viewers to delve into the depths of his imagination.
“Appreciating Dalí’s art is akin to unraveling the layers of an onion; there is always something new to discover,” remarks Ms Argillet.
The journey to bring Dalí’s art to India was a painstaking endeavor, lasting five years, as every piece had to be meticulously authenticated, shares Akshitta Aggarwal from Bruno Art Group, the gallery presenting the exhibition.
While this marks Dalí’s first major exhibition in India, it is not his first encounter with the country. In 1967, he famously designed ashtrays for Air India in exchange for a baby elephant, showcasing his eccentric personality.
Born in Spain in 1904, Dalí was deeply influenced by the surrealist movement and psychoanalytic theories of Sigmund Freud, reflecting in his dream-like, provocative artworks.
His eccentric persona, characterized by flamboyant attire and an upward-pointing moustache, mirrored his unconventional approach to life and art, leaving a lasting impact on the art world.
“Dalí was a multifaceted individual, much like his paintings. The more you delve into his art, the more you unravel the enigma that was Dalí,” concludes Ms Argillet.
