*Dora Maar*
*1907 - 1997*
*Woman with hands in hair*
*c. 1935/1980*
*Unique Vintage gelatin silver negative*
*Dora Maar Estate*

A Celebration of Surrealism and Activism

Amar Gallery

https://www.amargallery.com/

Fitzrovia, London
16 June – 18 August 2024

Written by Stella Paes

In the heart of Fitzrovia, the Amar Gallery presents an evocative exhibition, "Dora Maar: Behind the Lens," running from 16 June to 18 August 2024. This exhibition revisits Maar’s substantial contributions to art and political activism, affirming her rightful place in the pantheon of great artists and showcasing the exceptional yet often overshadowed works of surrealist photographer Dora Maar.

Born Henriette Theodora Markovitch in 1907, Maar was a prolific artist who went from being seen as Picasso’s muse to becoming an outstanding surrealist photographer and painter in her own right. This exhibition features a carefully chosen collection of her photograms and photographs, both of which showcase her distinctive style: blending strict realism with phantasmal forms. Her work, admired by contemporaries such as Henri Cartier-Bresson and Man Ray, offers a compelling narrative that intertwines art and political activism.

A feature of Maar's work is looking inside a subject to capture the inner self and emotional intensity. It's an evocative image, reflecting a mixture of introspection and confidence. This posture, together with the expression, says a lot about self-confidence in a global personality that has penetrated the subject's personality, a profound statement about identity, and presence.

Paris-born Maar was already a respected experimental photographer when the French surrealist poet Paul Éluard introduced her to Picasso. Her work at the time was displayed at the 1936 International Surrealist Exhibition in London alongside luminaries like Salvador Dalí and Man Ray. Her success continued during her collaboration with Picasso, namely on the famous anti-war piece Guernica. With her camera, she captured Picasso’s creative journey through its various stages of development, preserving the fierce and emotional feelings associated with his art. First and foremost, though, Maar was a surrealist artist and used techniques such as photomontage and solarization to produce fantastical and frightening images. Her photographs are often characterized by distorted angles of view, enigmatic subjects, and an impressive interplay of light and dark that suggests something inexplicable and inner-directed. She was able to find the surreal in everyday situations, transforming ordinary moments into intellectual and imaginative scenarios. Her ability to achieve this in her photographs not only demonstrates her skill, but also shows us her sensitivity regarding the emotional and psychic elements associated with her subjects.

*Dora Maar*
*1907 - 1997*
*Pablo Picasso in Hôtel Vaste Horizon, Mougins*
*c. 1936-1937 (printed later by the estate)*
*Gelatin Silver Print (Edition of 5)*
*Dora Maar Estate*

Pablo Picasso appears in one of Maar’s photographs, standing confidently in the shade of large leafy trees. The play of light and shadow on the leaves creates a natural frame around him. Picasso's presence in the photograph adds to its historical significance, capturing the very essence of this legendary artist in an honest and undisguised moment that reflects his complex personality and gives a glimpse into the depth of Maar’s creative mind. In this portrait, Maar's way of using light and shadow to accentuate emotional tones in the subject and the tendency to find surrealism within everyday life, are notable. With this portrait, Picasso is deep in thought, but movement is given to the uniqueness of Maar's photographic style where reality blends with the dreamlike.

*Dora Maar*
*1907 - 1997*
*Self Portrait*
*c. 1935 (printed later by the estate)*
*Gelatin Silver Print (edition of 5)*
*Dora Maar Estate*

*Dora Maar*
*1907 - 1997*
*Abstract Compositions*
*(Virgin and Crucifix)*
*c. 1980*
*Unique Photogram*
*Dora Maar Estate*

The following is another great example of Dora Maar's surrealist vision. The frame is an image made, by placing objects directly on a surface treated with light-sensitive material, then exposing it to light, and subsequently capturing the effect; the form here is uncanny, containing virtuously sharp contours alongside fuzzy edges. This is one of her characteristics, which fuses reality and the subconscious in a perfect way. The high-contrast tones and the play of light against dark create an atmosphere of mystery and contemplation, immersing the viewer in the discovery of the surreal and the mysterious. As with much of Maar's work, we see the way she questions how much reality has to offer and how deep the human essence is.

*Dora Maar*
*1907 - 1997*
*Abstract Compositions*
*c. 1980*
*Unique Photogram*
*Dora Maar Estate*

Following on from the exhibition, visitors will discover a work that invites the imagination, a delicate balance of light and shadow, combined with abstract shapes, invites viewers to interpret the image through their own lenses of imagination and emotion, making it an essential piece in their repertoire. Each of Maar's works is an invitation to our subconscious, allowing us to navigate the work and giving the mind space to create different interpretations. This absurdity is typical of surrealist art, which often uses composition to challenge expectations and make people think critically.

In her photographs, Maar turns the ordinary into the extraordinary, emphasizing her surrealism. The overall narratives within her work incorporate humor, absurdity, and challenging reality — characteristics of surrealist art that are effective for various levels of education, encouraging viewers to look for the hidden narratives behind typical scenes in all parts of life.

"Dora Maar: Behind the Lens" is a profound homage to an artist whose contributions to surrealism and political activism have shaped modern art. The retrospective exhibition not only recognizes Maar's artistic role but also her capacity to resist personal and political adversity. The Amar Gallery’s exhibition ensures that Dora Maar obtains merited recognition for her immense talent and consolidated legacy as a pioneering surrealist photographer and passionate activist.