Student Surrealist Art Exhibit
“The Metamorphic Moment”
Pinellas County: January 8 – March 6, 2022
Hillsborough County: March 12 – May 1, 2022
Florida Statewide: May 7 – August 21, 2022
Initiated in 1985, this annual juried art exhibition presents work by middle and high school students whom are invited to explore ideas and visions similar to those explored by Salvador Dalí and the surrealists. This year, the theme is “The Metamorphic Moment,” a theme that encourages students to explore the process and meaning of transformation through time, myth and literature.
Metamorphosis is “a change of the form or nature of a thing or person into a completely different one, by natural or supernatural means.” With insects or amphibians, metamorphosis is “the process of transformation from an immature form to an adult form in two or more distinct stages.” Metamorphosis relates to the age-old experience of looking at clouds and recognizing familiar images, like seeing a face transition into a bird. The concept is also woven into our culture. In Greek mythology, metamorphosis explains Zeus’ transformation into a swan to visit Leda, or Daphne turning into a laurel tree to escape Apollo’s advances. In modern culture, Kafka’s short story, “The Metamorphosis,” focuses on Gregor Samsa’s inexplicable transformation into a cockroach. In X-Men, Mystique is a shapeshifter who can morph into another shape or state at will. Western culture is bound by both the delight and terror of metamorphosis. In some situations, it is seen as a punishment, while in other contexts, it is seen as a superpower.
In the visual arts, metamorphosis is often the domain of the surrealists. From René Magritte to Max Ernst, the representation of metamorphosis is a central subject. One of Salvador Dalí’s most celebrated skills was his ability to see the world differently, recognize how to see something transform into something completely different by simply by refocusing one’s view, then use his refined techniques to capture that vision for others to see.
“The Metamorphic Moment” theme invites students to reflect on the idea of metamorphosis and create their own visual interpretation of “the metamorphic moment.” All 2D media types are welcomed and encouraged as submissions.
This exhibit is held in the Raymond James Community Room on the ground floor of the Museum. Access to the Museum’s ground floor is free and open to the public; online timed reservations are available by selecting ‘Ground Floor Only’ at the ticket 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:
