Student Surrealist Art Exhibit
“Delusions, Desires and Delicacies”
Pinellas County: January 9 – March 7, 2021
Hillsborough County: March 20 – May 2, 2021
Florida Statewide: May 15 – August 22, 2021
Initiated in 1992, this annual juried art exhibit presents work by middle and high school students whom we invite to explore ideas and visions similar to those explored by Salvador Dalí and the surrealists. For 2021, the theme is “Delusions, Desires and Delicacies,” a theme that encourages students to explore these dream-like ideas inspired by our subconscious wants and fears.
Sigmund Freud, the father of Psychoanalysis, was one of the first scientists to propose that dreams were not just the residue of sleep. He argued that dreams function like a language, and can be interpreted scientifically in order to understand a person’s fears, desires, and motivations. His dream studies greatly influenced the surrealists, who looked to their dreams for inspiration. An avid follower of Freud, Salvador Dalí describer his paintings as “hand-painted dream photographs.”
“Delusions, Desires and Delicacies” encourages students to create dream-like visions and look to their dreams for inspiration. The definitions suggest possible approaches to the competition: a delusion is “a belief that is firmly maintained despite being contradicted by what is generally accepted as reality…” Desire is “a strong feeling of wanting to have something or wishing for something to happen.” A delicacy is “something delightful or pleasing, especially a choice food considered with regard to its rarity, costliness.” Each definition suggests a possible approach for students to create their own “hand-painted dream photograph.” These three words encourage students to reflect on erroneous beliefs and fantasies associated with their dreams, while emphasizing the extravagance and opulence of their ideas.
There is a general admission ticket charge to view the student exhibition in the first-floor Raymond James Community Room. Tickets can be purchased here. The Raymond James Community Room occasionally closes for private events, in which case the exhibit will not be accessible.
Thank you to our sponsor:
