Leonora Carrington – Britain's Lost Surrealist | TateShots

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Published 2015-03-26
Featuring rare archive footage, this short film follows Leonora Carrington’s cousin and journalist, Joanna Moorhead, exploring the artist’s story.

Leonora Carrington was one of the most prolific members of the Surrealist movement. After rejecting her upper-class upbringing in northern England, Carrington embarked upon a relationship with Surrealist artist Max Ernst, and became central in the Surrealist circles of France and New York.

After hanging out with celebrated names such as Andre Breton and Pablo Picasso, the artist then moved to Mexico where she spend the rest of her life painting, as well as making sculpture, tapestry, writing poetry and designing for theatre and film.

This film is republished with kind permission by The Guardian.

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All Comments (21)
  • @davidl6332
    "You are trying to intellectualize something ... desperately ... and you are wasting your time" Leonora Carrington
  • @ClariceAust
    I love how in her paintings the animals are beings and have souls with feeling just as valid as the other human-like beings. This is the way it really is; their feelings are real, too.
  • @thinker9115
    As a boy in the 1970s I had quite an appreciation for Surrealist art, I came across her at that time in a book of Surrealist paintings. Delighted to learn more about her and hear her speak. Thank you.
  • Even if it is a complex situation for the interviewer all the artist’s answers are true. She makes no compromises in her replies. She talks with the experience and the wisdom which goes with it. I am full of admiration. She is intimidating but fascinating. My love for her work. ❤️🙏🏻❤️
  • It's been been a privilege to watch this interview and listen to the artist's views on art.
  • Another surrealist who was equally smitten with Mexico was Remedios Varas. I recommend viewing her work.
  • I wonder why I have seen in recent times so many things online referring to Leonora Carrington as "lost" or like some new amazing find. Since I first started exploring surrealism in 1980, I have had no problem finding her fiction, books of her artwork, references to her and various books on surrealism, etc. She is perhaps among the best known woman surrealists. A few other woman surrealists of note: Remedios Varo, Toyen, Claude Cahun, Penelope Rosemont, Gina Litherland, Rikki Ducornet, Annie Le Brun, Gale Ahrens, ... the list could go on. All worthy of looking into, the last five, still living and still practicing surrealism as a way of life.
  • in addition to anything else, there is an example-lesson here in making your point when the other conversant isn't letting you completely unfold your message.
  • @sushanart
    I wish the cousin would be quiet and listen...I could listen to this amazing woman for a long, long time.
  • @elizdonovan5650
    The lady being interviewed was constantly being interrupted by the interviewer. My opinion is that the interviewer was not listening to the artist Leonora. Leonora repeatedly had to tell the interviewer not to intellectualise art and that art is visual. Beautiful painter and I enjoyed hearing her speak even if I did not enjoy the interruptions. Leonora appeared to be a very down to earth woman unfazed by her commercial success whilst the interviewer appeared to be impressed because of the commercial success of the paintings. If anyone knows of any other interviews by this artist I would appreciate a link to the interview. The paintings that I have looked up so far are so beautiful. I will enjoy finding more of her paintings and would enjoy hearing her speak more about herself and her experiences. Stay safe everyone. ☘️🌝🌲
  • @lanvywynn
    “Don’t try to intellectualize art”...and yet the art “critics” and art gate keepers throw so many mumble-jumble of words around art and design that it interferes with the emotional appreciation of art. Unfortunately, many of the art gate-keepers actually reside at the Tate.
  • As an artist I hate vast swathes of Art but Leonora Carrington's work is excellent - both Frida K. & this lady were seriously good. God bless them, wherever they are.
  • @singlespies
    A true Bohemian! I love her. Her sculptures are even more impressive than her paintings, maybe. I'll have to look into her work more. Thanks for the video!
  • Falling in love with Leonora, her vision and skill. The problem with intellectualising art is that our society is trained to value intellect/thinking over everything, not just art.
  • @frrascon
    Britains loss was Mexico's gain. México became a haven for artists like Leonora and Remedios Varo. Their works got the recognition they deserved there.
  • @pincmin
    She wrote short stories too, the complete collection published last year. Go for them 🐗
  • @barbsm7413
    I find her work to be just so captivating! She definately invokes a feeling of excitement and intrigue for me
  • @BookFreakyTube
    Leonora is absolutely my favourite painter, favourite genius and favourite badass!
  • @magistra137
    I am very happy that I just happened upon this video about Leonora Carrington. I love the paintings shown and I’m so glad that commenters have also mentioned her writing. I am excited to experience more of this great artist’s work.