He is one of the most iconic modern artists and is known for using vibrant colours in his surrealist paintings, which captures a sense energy, dynamism and personal vision. Miró used a language of symbols to communicate with art lovers who flocked to see his work. The exhibition featuring at the Tate Modern in London includes some of his most celebrated works and also shows that, underneath the colourful nature of his imagery, you’ll find a concern for humanity and also a layer that revels his interest in personal and national identity.

By telling the story of Miró’s life and correlating it with the time in which he lived, expressed through his many works, the viewer delves into a side of his works where details with darker intensity can be found. By following the exhibition his reaction to particularly brutal times of his past are revealed; the Spanish Civil War and trailing through to the first few months of the Second World War in France. Under the political restrictions, spouted by Franco, the large consuming works that he created during the late 1960s and early 70s became a symbol of resistance in the dwindling years of the regime.

A striking piece (seen above) in which the artist's thoughts and personal experience during the Spanish Civil War is captured, is entitled 'Still-life With Old Shoe'. The result is a canvas dashed with neon-like colours against a threateningly dark background that seem to express a mind that is troubled by worry, hunger and future uncertainty. In fact Miró stated that the piece is regarding, "‘Realism that is far from being photographic … Profound and fascinating reality."

This exhibition at the Tate Modern is a must-see for lovers of art and for those who want to see the works of one of the greats grouped together and to see his works reveal a different side to our current understanding of his art. 

For more about this exhibition, click here.

For more artists on Swide:

Credits - Tate

Artchive

Written by Ben Taylor