Eileen Agar was a British painter and photographer associated with the Surrealist movement.
Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, to a Scottish father and an American mother, Agar moved to Britain in her childhood. She studied at the Slade School of Fine Art in London and later in Paris, where she was exposed to the burgeoning Surrealist and Dada movements, which significantly influenced her artistic development.
Agar's work is known for its inventive and eclectic approach, blending elements of classical art with mythological and erotic themes, all underpinned by a distinctly Surrealist sensibility. Her art often included found objects and collage, making vibrant, imaginative compositions that played with conventional ideas of form and function. She was one of the few women to participate in the 1936 International Surrealist Exhibition in London.
Blurring Boundaries with Surrealism and Eclecticism
Throughout her career, Agar's work evolved through various phases, incorporating painting, sculpture, and photography. Despite her association with Surrealism, she maintained a unique style that resisted full assimilation into any single movement. Her work is characterized by a playful yet probing approach to the relationship between nature and artifice, often focusing on the interaction between objects and their environments in unexpected ways.
Eileen Agar was recognized for her contributions to British art late in her life and continued to work and exhibit until her death. Her works are included in many major collections, such as the Tate Gallery in London and the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art in Edinburgh. Agar's legacy is celebrated for her innovative and spirited exploration of Surrealist themes and techniques."