Surrealist Women

September 15, 1998
Though surrealism has often been viewed as a male-dominated movement, women (many more than the few well-known artists such as Lenora Carrington and Frida Kahlo) have been integral to its development. In this first anthology of writings by women Surrealists, drawn from an impressively global group, Rosemont (Beware of the Ice and Other Poems, Black Swan, 1992) dives deeper than the extant writing on the movement to unearth the women involved since its inception. These varied writings--automatic texts, prose pieces, critical tracts, Surrealist inquiries (e.g., "Would You Open the Door?"), and results of Surrealist games (e.g., "Time-Traveler's Potlatch")--offer a history of women's formative participation in surrealism's past and create a context for its future. Rosemont's insightful introduction, short essays prefacing each major period of the movement, and brief bibliographies illuminate a vibrant revolution in process. An important research tool as well as a fascinating read, this major contribution to art history and literary scholarship is highly recommended for academic and public libraries.--Rebecca Miller, "Library Journal