Eileen Agar stands as a beacon of innovation in the art world, her work transcending traditional boundaries and inviting viewers into a realm where the subconscious reigns.
Born in Buenos Aires and later flourishing in London, Agar’s artistic journey intertwined with the Surrealist movement, yet her unique voice carved a distinct path.
Throughout her prolific career, she masterfully blended painting, sculpture, and collage, creating a vibrant tapestry that reflects her deep fascination with the human experience and nature.
Her remarkable piece, Bride of the Sea, exemplifies Agar’s ability to merge abstract forms with rich symbolism, showcasing her lifelong commitment to exploring themes of femininity and the unconscious.
As we delve into the important art of Eileen Agar, we uncover not just a body of work but a profound exploration of identity and imagination that continues to resonate today.
1. Three Symbols
Eileen Agar’s “Three Symbols” stands as a cornerstone of British Surrealism, showcasing her innovative artistic direction. This painting presents a striking, semi-anthropomorphic column of red and white stripes, elevated above a metal bridge.
Close by, Notre Dame Cathedral features in loose representation, paired with the fleur-de-lis symbol. Agar conceived this piece during her Parisian years, influenced by Surrealists like André Breton and Paul Éluard.
The work symbolizes a blend of cultures and religions, with each element referencing something profound.
The column nods to Greco-Roman heritage, the cathedral evokes medieval Gothic aspects, and the bridge pays homage to the engineering marvel of the Garabit Viaduct.
Notably, the trio of symbols hints at a connection to the holy trinity, showcasing Agar’s exploration of universal themes in art.
2. Precious Stones
“Precious Stones” showcases Eileen Agar’s deep connection to both art and nature, featuring a striking silhouette of a male face in profile.
The artwork’s composition involves a white sheet of paper adorned with a red border that frames this silhouette, cut from a book on gemstones.
Artists often draw inspiration from their surroundings, and here, the grid-like arrangement of numbered stones contrasts sharply with the fluidity of the face, emphasizing Agar’s unique approach.
This collage represents one of Agar’s first forays into depicting heads and torsos in profile, a motif she would explore throughout her career.
The silhouette bears resemblance to her future husband, whose passion for gemstones likely influenced this piece.
Just as important, Agar’s fascination with ancient coin likenesses is reflected in the naive quality of the silhouette, creating a dialogue between tradition and innovation.
Ultimately, “Precious Stones” embodies Agar’s exploration of structure versus spontaneity, blending the inorganic with organic forms in an evocative manner.
3. Ceremonial Hat for Eating Bouillabaisse
Ceremonial Hat for Eating Bouillabaisse exemplifies Eileen Agar’s unique approach to Surrealist fashion.
This iconic piece, crafted from a circular cork basket, stands out with its vibrant blue paint and a collection of maritime debris, including lobster shells, fish bones, and coral.
Inspired by Surrealist principles, Agar transforms a hat into more than just an accessory. The design merges functionality with art, challenging conventional meanings attributed to fashion.
During an interview in 1948, Agar captured public attention while wearing this extraordinary hat, solidifying its place in art history.
Notably, this piece pays homage to her mother, who had an affinity for extravagant hats. By merging personal significance with artistic innovation, Agar demonstrates how fashion can transcend its ordinary use, inviting viewers to explore deeper conceptual connections.
4. Angel of Anarchy
“Angel of Anarchy” is a striking sculpture by Eileen Agar, created between 1936 and 1940. The piece features a cylindrical plaster base topped with a head wrapped in vibrant materials like black and green feathers, multicolored scarves, beads, and shells.
This sculpture is a reproduction of an earlier version made for the 1938 International Exhibition of Surrealism in Amsterdam, which was lost on its return to Britain.
Agar modeled this work loosely on the head of her partner, Joseph Bard, whom she married in the same year the second sculpture emerged.
The materials surrounding the head reflect feminine connotations, suggesting a commentary on gender divisions. Critic Patricia Allmer described the piece as addressing issues of gender fluidity, implying a deeper narrative about identity.
With its masked quality, “Angel of Anarchy” reveals men’s blindness to women’s creativity, while its rebellious title echoes Agar’s spirit and challenges traditional patriarchy.
5. Head of Dylan Thomas
“Head of Dylan Thomas” showcases Eileen Agar’s innovative approach to portraiture. This piece employs a profile-portrait style reminiscent of her earlier works like “Precious Stones.
” Dylan Thomas, the neo-Romantic poet and a notable figure in literary Surrealism, served as the inspiration behind this artwork.
Agar loosely renders his face with flowing white lines, surrounded by an abstract backdrop filled with vibrant motifs.
The wild features reflect her experimentation with automatism, a Surrealist technique that emphasizes spontaneous creation without premeditated intent.
Combining quick sketches made during a dinner party in the 1930s, the work pays homage to Thomas’s free spirit and his close connections with the Surrealist circle Agar was part of.
6. Bride of the Sea
“Bride of the Sea” features a silhouetted woman’s face rendered in greens, blues, and browns, emerging from a fluid mass of color.
Agar created this significant piece at the age of eighty, showcasing her lifelong engagement with marine themes, similar to earlier works like “Ceremonial Hat.”
Symbolism enriches this painting, presenting the head of the woman as the spirit of the sea, which reflects the intimate relationship between human and nature.
Michel Remy’s interpretation highlights the blues and greens dominating the work, suggesting a merging of life forces.
Surrealism pervades this canvas, with hybrid imagery depicting emotional connections. Creative flow permeates the piece, symbolizing Agar’s reflections on her own artistic journey.
7. Rock – Ploumanac’h
source: mutualart.com
“Rock – Ploumanac’h” showcases Eileen Agar’s artistic evolution, particularly in her late work on paper.
This piece depicts a cluster of rocks set against a blue sea and green sky, brought to life through stylized, Post-Impressionist brushstrokes. Portions of the paper remain untouched, suggesting clouds and adding depth to the scenery.
Agar created this artwork as part of a series inspired by a previous set of photographs taken during a holiday in Brittany in 1936.
Nostalgia influences the piece, as she revisits the Ploumanac’h coastline fifty years later. Michel Remy emphasizes this journey as a pilgrimage, where Agar seeks the essence of the past and challenges its fleeting nature.
Continuously experimenting with techniques, Agar reflects her artistic growth in this piece. “Rock – Ploumanac’h” stands as a testament to her ability to infuse personal experiences with broader themes, reinforcing her unique voice in the art world.
