The Redfern Gallery | Desmond Morris: The Last Surrealist | London | May 11 – June 10

11 May – 10 June 2022 2022
Desmond Morris: The Last Surrealist
The Redfern Gallery
In-Person Viewing:
20 Cork Street, London W1S 3HL UK
Virtual Viewing:
https://www.redfern-gallery.com/exhibitions/82-desmond-morris-desmond-morris-the-last-surrealist/
The famous zoologist and best-selling author, Desmond Morris, is also the last surviving artist of the Surrealist movement. Whilst studying for his degree in zoology, at the University of Birmingham, Morris started making drawings under the microscope, of biological organisms. This indirectly inspired Morris to create, in the words of David Attenborough, a “menagerie of creatures that were all his own”. Despite Morris’ knowledge of biology, these bizarre creatures are purely invented and irrational. The artist explains that “they evolve on the canvas, and they belong in their own dimension”. Indeed, he is keen to stress that the drawings are a chance to let his “imagination run free”.
Desmond Morris: The Last Surrealist will be accompanied by a fully illustrated e-catalogue, available to view at www.redfern-gallery.com