GE Assignment Final

Eileen Agar and her interpretation of the Surrealist movement

By Ethan Long

 

Eileen Agar was born in a well-to-do British family at the end of the 19th century. Though she was given a formal schooling, artwork interested her from a very young age. Her teachers encouraged her to pursue this passion, cultivating a love for art. Later, she would enroll in college to pursue her study of painting. It was during these college days that the newfound style of surrealism took off, and Eileen was among the first female artists at its helm.

Though her works became famous, two major world events occurred that threw her life off track: World Wars I and II. Throughout these periods, though she was able to avoid the devastation, she took a temporary hiatus from producing art. Though she began to paint again after the war, a significant event happened in 1965, where she discovered the essence of acrylic painting. This allowed her to paint, of which would rapidly dry off and be ready, allowing her to conduct experimentation more quickly. Untitled Still Life is a direct product of this, and it is easy to see how her surrealist ideals are captured. Though the main focus of this painting is the plants, that is about where reality ends and Agar’s surrealist world begins: it is a cubic still life, with the centerpiece being composed of stalky plants. The whimsical contortion of the plants indicates a playful nature, likely reminiscent of Agar’s childhood, described in her autobiography as “playful” (and of which did include a noted garden). Another significant aspect is the contrast between cold and warm; though the outer edges of this work are fringed in cool shades of blue, the inner core is composed of red and oranges, perhaps to convey a sense of life surrounding the centerpiece. This is also consistent with surrealist ideals of “uncomfortable” arrangements, such as the absence of a transition from cold to warm colors; where there should usually be a gradient, there is a stark contrast from the cold to warm. 

Though this painting does not have a title beyond Untitled Still Life, there is no need for it; it perfectly captures the essence of the surrealist movement, of which was spearheaded by the likes of artists such as Agar. Through its both whimsical and colorful nature, it beautifully paints an anomaly of the usual natural greenery.

 

Bibliography

 

Wikipedia contributors. “Eileen Agar.” Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 4 Sep. 2020. Web. 26 Oct. 2020.

 

Agar, Eileen. “Life Stories.” Interview by Courtney, Cathy. The British Library Board. 18 February 1990