Surrealists in New York: Atelier 17 and the Birth of Abstract Expressionism

Charles Darwent

Meeting: Thursday, May 16 @ 6-7:30 PM

Location: Kelly-McKenna Gallery, 1308 Third Avenue, Spring Lake, NJ

Wine Selection: TBD

Summary: In 1957, artist Robert Motherwell made a bold claim, asserting that abstract expressionism was rooted in a brief interaction between America and France. Surrealists in New York: Atelier 17 and the Birth of Abstract Expressionism explores this connection, focusing on the exchange between European exiles and American artists at Stanley William Hayter's Atelier 17 print studio. Here, artists like Jackson Pollock found the balance of freedom and control that defined their iconic works. Charles Darwent uncovers the impact of figures like Max Ernst and André Masson on American avant-garde, offering a fresh perspective on 20th-century art history.

About Art Book Club: We meet the third Thursday of every month at Kelly-McKenna Gallery to discuss all topics art, architecture, and design adjacent. 

You can follow us on Instagram: @kmgbookclub

Our monthly wine selection is available at Bottle Shop of Spring Lake; (732) 449-5525