ROSLYN HARBOR, NY.- The Nassau County Museum of Art closes Surrealism: Dreams on Canvas. When it comes to movements in art absolutely nothing beats the drama and dynamism of the Surrealists. Mining the recesses of the subconscious for its often bizarre and rarely rational imagery, Surrealism had it all: the fiery personalities and their brilliant technique through which a fantastic torrent of dreams, sex, humor and poetry flowed in an endless expression of passion and invention. This original, groundbreaking exhibition, curated by Museum Director, Constance Schwartz with guest curator, Dr. Charles A. Riley II, gathers not only the European stars of the movement but the young Americans—including Robert Motherwell, Jackson Pollock, Adolph Gottlieb and Willem de Kooning-- who flocked to its brilliance and used this movement as a springboard for their pioneering work as Abstract Expressionists.

Starting with André Breton, Surrealism’s advocate and frequent spokesman, the exhibition includes the flamboyant Salvador Dali and his cohorts, René Magritte, Max Ernst, Giorgio de Chirico, Joan Miró, Matta, Masson, Jean Arp and Yves Tanguy.

Surrealism: Dreams on Canvas considers the impact that these European Surrealists had upon American artists. Many of the European stars emigrated to New York beginning with Dali, who arrived in 1939, followed by Ernst, Breton then Duchamp.