James Cant Surrealist hand

Interpretive Resource James Cant (1911–1982), was an Australian Surrealist hand, c1936 is among the earliest Image (below and cover) James Cant, , artist born in . He began his art and one of the most outstanding examples 1911–1982, Surrealist hand, training at the studio of migrant Italian of in the history of Australian c.1936, London, wax, oil paint on plaster, wood, painter Antonio Dattilo Rubbo in art. This work was created during Cant’s glass, 38.0 x 28.0 cm; before travelling to London in 1934. time in London and reveals an interest in Dora Chapman Bequest Fund 1999, Art Gallery of Here he experimented with Cubism and the work of André Breton and Sir Roland South Australia, Adelaide, Estate Dora Chapman and Surrealism and was introduced to some Penrose. Surrealist hand is presented James Cant. of Europe’s most dynamic modernists as a decorative object; but instead of including Georgie de Chirico, showcasing a prized piece of silver or a and Paul Klee. Cant’s works were well taxidermy arrangement under a glass received in London and in 1936 he was dome, Cant has encased a human hand invited to join the British Surrealist Group, made from plaster and painted in bright with whom he continued to exhibit with in colours. This work forms an important Europe and the United States. Influenced part of the Gallery’s collection of Surrealist by Surrealism, Cant delved into his works, alongside works by Dusan and subconscious, used odd juxtapositions, Voitre Marek, Jacqueline Hick, Ivor Francis, applied automatic creative processes (art James Gleeson, Peter Purves Smith and making without conscious thought) and . arranged objects that challenged reason.

James Cant – Surrealist hand, 1936

Interpretive Resource agsa.sa.gov.au/education 2 Early Years & Primary

Responding Making Image Peter Purves Smith, What is familiar about Surrealist hand? Automatic writing is a Surrealist technique Australia, 1912–1949, Ricketts Point, 1937, where by every spontaneous thought is Melbourne, oil on canvas, Display glass domes like the one you see written down. Place an interesting object 50.8 x 76.5 cm; Gift of the in Surrealist hand were used by people to artist’s widow, in the centre of the classroom. Using this Lady Drysdale, on the showcase natural objects in their homes. object as stimuli, write automatically for a occasion of the State’s What things do you have on display in your 150th Anniversary 1986, timed period. Relax your mind and allow Art Gallery of South home that might be considered unusual? Australia, Adelaide. your writing to flow spontaneously. Use After looking at a variety of Surrealist this writing to create a short story about works of art, brainstorm common this object and compare your writing to characteristics. In small groups write a others. definition for Surrealism based on the Surrealism was an artistic and literary works of art that you have seen. movement which began in the 20th Look at works of art displayed near century and explored the unconscious Surrealist hand. What other work of art mind as a way to unlock the imagination. would you pair with Surrealist hand and Artists were inspired by dreams and why? included imagery which defied logic and suggested a new reality. Record your Investigate other Surrealist works of art in dreams for a week and create a work of art the collection by Dusan Marek, Jacqueline inspired by your dreams. Hick, Ivor Francis, James Gleeson, Peter Purves Smith and Jeffrey Smart. What Flags and hands are sometimes used as makes these works of art surreal? a communication tool. Semaphore is a signalling system of sending messages The patterns painted on Surrealist hand with gestures or using flags. Create your are similar to nautical flags which are own set of symbols which you could use used to communicate with ships and are to communicate a message. Place these recognised as the International Code of symbols on a series of flags or perform Signals. Where else have you seen flags? them using your hands. What other ways are flags used? What do they communicate to people who see them?

Interpretive Resource agsa.sa.gov.au/education 3 Secondary

Responding Making Image Sean Cordeiro, Australia, Surrealist artists used a variety of media In the last half of the nineteenth century, born 1974, Claire Healy, Australia, born 1971, to depict unexpected events and unusual bodiless hands appeared as motifs or Upstairs study – Penguin, subjects in art. It was also believed that 2014, Sydney, Lego, IKEA juxtapositions. This included writing, chair, plastic potted plant, drawing, collage, painting, photomontage, hands held valuable information about a 80.0 x 67.0 x 62.0 cm; Gift of Patrick Corrigan film and sculpture. Compare a Surrealist person’s character. Photograph the hands AM through the Art work from three different mediums. What of someone in your family. What do their Gallery of South Australia Contemporary Collectors similarities do they share? hands say about them? Create a series of 2016. Donated through the portraits using their hands only. Australian Government’s Compare Cant’s works of art to those of his Cultural Gifts Program, Art Gallery of South early influences such Georgie de Chirico Bell jars or domes were commonly used Australia, Adelaide. and Max Ernst. in the Victorian age (1837–1901) to display a variety of treasures such as miniature In 1936 critics Lord Kenneth Clarke and Sir tableaux, natural history specimens, Herbet Read that claimed James Cant was taxidermy, or delicate hair works. Create a one of the ten most promising, forward tableau of a surreal world to display within looking painters in Britain. Write a letter a glass jar. to these critics informing them of Cant’s career post 1936. Was their statement Juxtapose two or more unrelated objects correct? Provide examples to support your to create a new association was an letter. important part of Surrealist practice. Create your own surrealist sculpture using Cant took to finding things in flea markets unwanted objects you find at home or in to use in his works of art. Artists across second hand shops. Choose objects that time have incorporated real world are physically different. objects. Marcel Duchamp, came up with the ‘readymade’ (the found object) and challenged the idea of what is art. Investigate contemporary artists who have used manufactured objects in their works. How are these artists works of art conceptually different to that of Duchamp? TIP Sean Cordeiro and Claire Healy.

Interpretive Resource agsa.sa.gov.au/education 4 Resources

Arts Hub: Lurid Beauty: Australian Surrealism and its Echoes http://bit.ly/2F9WmBH

Khan Academy: Surrealism – an introduction http://bit.ly/2PgfAtY

MoMA Learning: Surrealism https://mo.ma/2PiKXE3

QAGOMA: Surrealism – The Poetry of Dreams http://bit.ly/2Du1tea

Videos

ABC Education: Surrealist Art Weird and Wonderful https://ab.co/2F7VAoG

James Cant: Objects in a Landscape http://bit.ly/2yVlfew

Art Gallery of South Australia Open daily 10am–5pm North Terrace Adelaide SA 5000 agsa.sa.gov.au

The Gallery’s Learning programs are supported by the Department for Education.

Information and hyperlinks correct at time of print. Art Gallery of South Australia staff Kylie Neagle and Lisa Slade contributed to the development of this resource.

Interpretive Resource agsa.sa.gov.au/education 5