Can surrealist art be analysed without information from the artist? For example, would it be possible to accurately interpret Dali's Lobster Telephone simply by studying the piece itself?

Answer 1

I would say that any work of art is best viewed alongside a description by the artist, surrealism included. While art from other periods relied on more widespread and consistent symbolism, anything that takes root inside of the artist themself should have the opportunity to be informed by their own thoughts an intensions of the piece. I think this need is only multiplied within the surrealist movement because of the often individualistic choice of symbolism and subject matter.

One example of this that comes to mind is the work of surrealist artist Meret Oppenheim. The sexism of the time resulted in critics, and at times fellow artists, changing the meaning and presentation of her works as they were shown to the public. The divide between their interpretation of her work and its actual meaning could be linked to the misinterpretation of symbols and their choice to ignore her own statements about the work.